ANKARA - Turks all across Turkey celebrated the 85th anniversary of April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children`s Day today (Saturday).
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer participated at the Turkish parliament`s special session to mark the National Sovereignty and Children`s Day.
A ceremony at Ataturk`s mausoleum, Anitkabir, was held in the morning and was attended by the Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, (main opposition) Republican People`s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and other high level dignitaries.
Arinc wrote statements in a special note-book at Anitkabir. Arinc said, "we are gathered here today to remember one of history`s most successful and unforgettable independence war. Under your (Ataturk`s) leadership, the Turkish people won a true victory."
In a speech delivered at the first Turkish parliament, Arinc indicated that Turkey is passing through a very serious era. "We must abandon everything that divides us. Just as this first parliament united every one in Anatolia, so must our current parliament. Were those who sat at the first Turkish parliament aware of their positive impact on millions of future Turkish citizens? The first Turkish parliament was formed with wooden chairs and tables, gas lamps, notebooks purchased from shop keepers. The first Turkish parliament convened in 1920 with great excitement, hopes, prayers and applauds. Since that date, the Turkish parliament has been the center of pride and joy for all Turks," told Arinc.
Arinc mentioned that 1920 marks the day when a whole nation decided to determine its own future by itself. "The respect and love our parliament is receiving every day from the Turkish people give us the strength to find solutions for Turkey`s problems," commented Arinc.
Turkish Minister of National Education Huseyin Celik was also among dignitaries who visited Anitkabir today. Celik took a moment to write in the special note-book at Anitkabir: "Great Ataturk, we are once again celebrating the Children`s Day you have presented to us with great happiness, pride and honor."
Children`s day was celebrated all across Anatolia.
In Istanbul, the International April 23rd Children`s Festival Gala Program sponsored by the state-run TRT channel began on the Marmara Campus.
In Izmir`s Alsancak Stadium, students from Germany, Russia, China and Georgia performed dances from their respective nations.
Izmir`s Governor Yusuf Ziya Goksu stressed that educating the young population and preparing them for the future is a very important responsibility which the Turkish government will fulfill rightly.
Balikesir residents celebrated the Children`s Day at the Mayor`s Facilities. Students carried red and white flags. A giant European Union flag was also carried by young scouts. The EU flag was applauded by the audience.
In Gaziantep, the Children`s Day celebrations began at the Democracy Center and continued at Kamil Ocak Stadium. Students performed various dances at the Kamil Ocak Stadium.
CELEBRATIONS IN OTHER TURKISH REPUBLICS
The April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children`s Day was also celebrated in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). In the ceremonies, 260 students who came to TRNC from 9 countries for the Seventh International Children and Peace Festival performed shows.
In Kyrgyzstan`s capital of Bishkek, Children`s Day celebrations began at the residence of the Turkish Ambassadress Serpil Alpman.
"The Turkish people presented the world with this special day for children. Turks in Anatolia have celebrated the Children`s Day with the children of other nations for decades. With such celebrations, the Turkish people across the globe show their unity and brotherhood," said Alpman.
In Tashkent, Uzbekistan, celebrations kicked-off at the Turkish Elementary School. Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Asya and his fellow colleagues organized a ceremony at the elementary school. Students danced in local costumes to celebrate the special day.
Turkish Ambassador Hakki Akil was the guest of honor at Ashkabad`s Turkish Elementary School. "We are very pleased to celebrate the Children`s Day at our motherland, Turkmenistan. Turkey and Turkmenistan will continue to cooperate, especially in the area of educating our youngsters," said Akil.
In Kazakhstan, Turks celebrated the Children`s Day at the Turkish Embassy in Almaty. Turkish Ambassador Taner Seben gave a speech on the importance of Children`s Day. Seben distributed dozens of gifts to Turkish children in Almaty. Turkish and Kazakh students sang together and performed beautiful dances.
Meanwhile, in Cairo, Egypt, Children`s Day celebrations were officially started at the Turkish Ambassador Korkmaz Haktanir`s residence. The Cairo celebrations began with a moment of silence and singing the Turkish national anthem. Children had a chance to read poems loudly and sing national songs of Turkey. Mrs. Haktanir organized various games for the Turkish children in Cairo, including painting.