Ceremonies were held throughout the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to celebrate the 23rd of April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.
The main ceremony of the day was held at the Atatürk Monument in Lefkoşa.
Wreaths were laid, and a minute’s silence was observed followed by the raising of the flags to the National Anthem.
The ceremony was attended by President Ersin Tatar, the Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Zorlu Töre, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, the head of the Supreme Court Narin Ferdi Şefik, former President Mehmet Ali Talat, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Metin Feyzioğlu, the Commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus Major General Sebahattin Kılınç, the Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Major General Osman Aytaç, the leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party Tufan Erhürman, ministers, MPs as well as other state and government officials.
President Ersin Tatar, speaking at the ceremony, celebrated the 104th anniversary of April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, thanking Mustafa Kemal Atatürk for the importance he gave to children and on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people for the establishment of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Addressing the children in his speech, Tatar pointed out the importance of national sovereignty, stating, “Sovereignty is the sole guarantee of our existence in these lands with our own identity, values, national, and spiritual feelings.”
He also emphasized that all children are the most valuable assets and the hope and guarantee of the future, thanking the Republic of Türkiye for its support to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Highlighting the significance of the day, which was gifted to all children of the world by the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk 104 years ago in 1920, President Tatar said, “I want to emphasize once again how meaningful and valuable today is.”
He also paid tribute to all children who lost their lives in the earthquakes, including the Champion Angels who perished in the February 6 earthquake and all children who bid farewell to life in earthquake-stricken areas.