The popularity of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkey, reverberates thousands of miles away from Istanbul or Ankara. When the University of British Columbia held a commemoration event for Mustafa Kemal on the 79th anniversary of his passing, we set out to explore how the Turkish community remembers his legacy and perceives his reforms that have often split historians and critics. 'Democracy Watch' reporter Rehmatullah Sheikh also inquires about Turkey’s strengthening role in the region, made possible in part owing to an exclusive interview with the Consul General of Turkey in Vancouver.