Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Statue

Amidst the urban tapestry of Paris, a tribute to a controversial figure quietly emerged. The Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Statue, unveiled on October 26, 2024, stands within the confines of a property in Épinay-sur-Seine, a northern suburb of Paris. This bust of Atatürk, the father of modern Turkey, resides in the courtyard of the local Trabzon and Region Turkish Patriotic Union. Its presence marks the first monument to Atatürk on French soil. The unveiling, intended to be a discreet affair, ignited a firestorm of controversy, particularly among Armenian associations. They denounced Atatürk as a “continuator of the Armenian genocide” and demanded the removal of the bust. However, the mayor of Épinay-sur-Seine, Hervé Chevreau, who had authorized the statue’s installation, defended it as a “100% private initiative”. His earlier letter, approving the installation, highlighted Atatürk’s contributions to representative democracy, secularism, and women’s suffrage, values he claimed “align with our country’s values”. The president of the Turkish association, Bulent Cumur, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Atatürk’s role as the first president of Turkey from 1923 to 1938. He dismissed the controversy, stating his apolitical stance and focus on promoting culture and sport. Interestingly, Cumur had accompanied Mayor Chevreau on a trip to Trabzon a month prior, introducing him to local dignitaries including the mayor of Trabzon and the prefect. The Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Statue, bearing the inscription “Peace at home, peace in the world,” remains a point of contention, a stark reminder of a complex and contested history.