National Anthem of the Republic of Western Thrace

National Anthem of the Republic of Western Thrace is the national anthem of the Republic of Western Thrace (Garbi Trakya Hükûmet-i Müstakilesi), established in 1913. The lyrics were written on 3 September 1913 in Dedeağaç by Süleyman Askerî Bey, a founding member of the Republic.

The text emphasizes freedom and independence. The Meriç and Karasu rivers are mentioned as geographical markers; the concepts of “republic” and “national flag” are treated in conjunction with the ideals of social unity and sovereignty. The anthem portrays the struggle in Western Thrace as a pioneering breakthrough that opened a “republican path” in the Balkans.

Lyrics

O noble Turkish child of Western Thrace, how happy you are,

You gave life with your blood to the war of national liberation.

Your sublime heroism is inscribed on every corner of the world,

Nations stand in salute before your national flag.

The ground you tread is filled with your glorious martyrs.

Enemies cannot violate the spirit of your heroic defenders.

Your glorious martyrs are embraced by the flag of salvation,

What noble honor it is to be buried in the soil of your ancestors.

The wind of freedom and independence blows across the homeland,

Heroic fighters are overthrowing this vile captivity.

We shall never turn back from this glorious war of national independence!

Even if steel armies rise before us, they cannot frighten us!

We crossed the Meriç and the Karasu for national independence,

Crushing and defeating all oppressors to reach our goal.

We opened a glorious republican path in the Balkans,

For the first time, we lit the torch of freedom.

This flag shall wave, the republic shall live!

The enemies before us shall flee in fear!

We are the descendants of a nation that has lived free for thousands of years,

We are the wolves and lions of these steppes, the eagles of the skies.

The charge of the fighters always resembles a storm,

From the terror of our might in battle, enemies faint.

The Republic of Western Thrace shall live, it shall live!

Nations shall marvel before our progress!

O sweet Western Thrace!... At last you are freed from bondage,

O enemies!... Do not think this nation is weary from war.

The lofty flag of the republic shall wave in this land at all times,

All Western Thrace shall live free until the end of time!^【1】