The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is marking 23 April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day with a week of events celebrating both the 105th anniversary of the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the day gifted to children by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Festivities began with a parade on 17 April and will continue until Wednesday, 23 April.

As part of the official programme, 50 students, selected from across all districts in numbers proportional to their local parliamentary representation, will visit the new Republic’s Assembly on 22 April. During this visit, a symbolic General Assembly session focusing on children’s rights will be held.

On the same day, 17 students from six districts, led by 9 Eylül Primary School Principal Elçin Altan, will visit state and government officials as representatives of their schools.

Meanwhile, the community also embraced the celebrations with colourful local events. In Akçay, the local muhtar’s office organised a Children’s and Spring Festival at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Park, featuring performances, activities, and gift-giving.

The event drew participation from officials, including President Ersin Tatar, who praised the role of such initiatives in fostering community spirit and national development.

Güzelyurt Mayor Mahmut Özçınar also called for making the festival a tradition, highlighting the importance of such events in keeping people connected to their localities.