Celebrations marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and the April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children’s Day—gifted to children by the Great Turkish Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk—began with a colorful cortege in the capital Lefkoşa.

Students and their teachers from schools in central Lefkoşa laid a wreath at the Atatürk Bust, accompanied by Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, before marching to the Presidency to meet with President Ersin Tatar.

Speaking at the event, President Ersin Tatar underscored the significance of April 23 as a symbol of the Turkish nation’s sovereignty and will, affirming that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will one day be fully entrusted to the children as an independent state. Tatar reminded that the new Presidential Complex and Parliament building will be inaugurated on May 3 with the attendance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and noted that this would be the final April 23 he hosts in the current compound.

He expressed his joy at celebrating this meaningful occasion with the youth and said, “Cyprus, the most beautiful island in the world, and our state will be entrusted to you as an independent state.”

He added that a nation’s prosperity and dignity depend on full sovereignty, echoing Atatürk’s vision of secular and independent self-rule.

Following the ceremony at the Presidency, the children visited the TRNC Parliament, where official proceedings began with a moment of silence and the national anthem performed by the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Band. Student Rüya Sancak from Necati Taşkın Primary School delivered a heartfelt speech on the meaning of the day.

Minister Çavuşoğlu also addressed the gathering, highlighting that April 23 not only commemorates history but also signals the shaping of a strong and sovereign future through education.

He stressed that Atatürk’s decision to dedicate this day to children was rooted in a vision of enlightened, self-determined generations.

Parliament Speaker Ziya Öztürkler echoed this message, emphasizing the historical significance of April 23, 1920, when Atatürk founded the Turkish Grand National Assembly to reflect the people’s will.

He described the children as the most important guarantee of the future and stated that with the support of educators, they would continue to strengthen the TRNC’s sovereignty.