Activities to celebrate the 23rd of April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, which was gifted to children by the Great Turkish Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, began today.
The day also marks the 104th anniversary of the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, which represents the national will of the Turkish nation.
The celebrations began this morning with a cortege.
Students and teachers from Lefkoşa together with the Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu laid wreaths at the Atatürk Bust before walking to the presidential palace.
President Ersin Tatar greeted the students.
Speaking at the event, Tatar recalled that the great leader of the Turkish nation, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, dedicated April 23 to children due to the importance he attached to the future of the country’s children.
He congratulated the teachers, saying, “For you to be in the best places, to receive the best education, and to confidently step into the future both socially and academically, the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) state will always be by your side.”
Tatar also advised the children to listen to their teachers well, study hard in their lessons, and improve their communication with each other.
The event ended with a folk-dance show by the Alayköy Primary School.
The cortege then proceeded to the parliament building where they were greeted by the Speaker of Parliament Zorlu Töre.
Speaking in front of parliament, the Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu expressed pride in celebrating the 104th anniversary of the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.
Çavuşoğlu paid tribute to Atatürk’s principles which he said the Turkish Cypriot people had embraced wholeheartedly.
The Education Minister also paid tribute to teachers, stating that their role in raising future generations was extremely important.
Also speaking, Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre praised the children, stating that it was important for future generations to be raised with a sense of patriotism, nationalism and love for their country and flag.
He said that April 23 was a day signifying the importance of sovereignty.
Within the framework of the April 23rd Week activities, various sporting events will be held as well as the opening of the “III. Atatürk’s Children Painting Exhibition” organized by the Ministry of National Education.
In line with the 23rd of April celebrations a delegation of students from schools in all districts will visit the state protocol on Monday, April 22.
On the same day, 50 students will visit the Republic’s Assembly and the General Assembly will convene with the agenda of “children’s rights”.
The Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu will deliver a speech regarding the importance of the day on Tuesday, April 23 at 8:00 am on Bayrak Radio Television.
A state ceremony will be held in front of the Atatürk Monument in Lefkoşa.
In addition, various activities will be organized in schools and districts throughout the day in line with the April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.