Google celebrates 23th April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, a day Turkey ‘s gift to all nations of the world.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – 23 April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day in Turkey is a unique event. Turkey celebrates the April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children’s Day on a brights and sunny Monday.

The founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, dedicated April 23 to the children of the country and the world to emphasize that they are the future of the new nation.

It was on April 23, 1920, during the War of Independence, that the Grand National Assembly met in Ankara and laid down the foundations of a new, independent, secular, and modern republic from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. Following the defeat of the Allied invasion forces on September 9, 1922 and the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne on July 24, 1923, Ataturk started his task of establishing the institutions of the new state. Over the next eight years, Ataturk and his followers adopted sweeping reforms to create a modern Turkey, divorced from her Ottoman past. In unprecedented moves, he dedicated the sovereignty day to the children and entrusted in the hands of the youth the protection of this sovereignty and independence.

23 April : Chidren’s Festival and Children’s Day

The greatest aspiration of Atatürk, who saved his country from occupations and introduced reforms in all fields hence changing the viewpoint of the nation it was modernization, in other words, an industrialized country that the industry of the Republic which it was founded on was out of date and poorly equipped, Ataturk endeavored to achieve modernization through educational reform, and thus entrusted Turkey to the children and the youth.

The Children’s Festival was first celebrated in Turkey on 23 April 1920, when the Turkish Grand National Assembly was opened.

Every year, the children in Turkey meet with their brothers and sister from all over the world to celebrate this ‘ Sovereignty and Children’s Day ‘ as an international holiday. Schools participate in week-long ceremonies marked by performances in all fields in large stadiums watched by the entire nation. Among the activities on this day, the children send their representatives to replace state officials and high ranking bureaucrats in their offices.

Ataturk’s asperation and gift to the children of the world

The Turkish President, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Ministers, provincial governors all turn over their positions to children’s representatives. These children, in turn, sign executive orders relating to educational and environmental policies. On this day, the children also replace the parliamentarians in the Grand National Assembly and hold a special session to discuss matters concerning children’s issues. Festival week continues with the children’s visit to the mausoleum of Atatürk, the great leader who gifted this festival to Turkish children. Then, the children are welcomed by The President of the Turkish Republic, President of the Turkish National Grand Assembly, and Director General of TRT, the Turkish state television.

On 22 April, all the children gather to rehearse the gala. When the big day comes, the gala of the TRT 23 April Children’s Festival takes place. In the Children’s Day and Festival’s gala, which lasts nearly four hours and is broadcast live, all the groups wear their national costume’s and present three-minute performances accompanied with their traditional music repectively.

23 April Celebrations in Turkey

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