National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı) commemorates the inauguration of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara on 23 April 1920.

In 1921, to mark the event, 23 April was proclaimed a national holiday.

In 1979 the day started to be called “International Children’s Day” and since its first year, Turkey has hosted thousands of children from 150 different countries over the years.

Celebrations in Fethiye

To mark National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, the children of Fethiye take part in celebrations, organised by FETAV, held at the town square, Beşkaza Meydanı.

On 23 April 2019, Fethiye Times went along to enjoy the celebrations and capture some of the moments from the day.

Wreath setting and a parade

The celebrations started with a wreath-setting ceremony in front of the Atatürk monument in Beşkaza Square.

Fethiye Mayor, Alim Karaca, children and parents, accompanied by the Fethiye Municipality Band, then marched from Özgecan Park, along the kordon, to Beşkaza Meydanı (Fethiye Town Square).

On reaching Beşkaza, there were activities by children and for children

In photos: A celebration of children

A final word from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

“Little ladies, little gentlemen,
You are all the roses, the stars and the sparkling joy of our future, the ones who will elevate the nation.
Always be aware of your value and significance!
And work hard…
We have great expectations from you.”

This article was first published on 24th April 2019.

The post Fethiye celebrates National Sovereignty and Children’s Day appeared first on Fethiye Times.

We are delighted to say that the article raised enough in donations to be able to give the children of Adıyaman a treat for Şeker Bayramı.

Thank you to Bee Harrison for the update and Songul Bozkurt for the photographs.

A joyful day for the children of Adıyaman

Today is National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı) a public holiday in Turkey commemorating the foundation of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, on 23 April 1920.

No better day than to share our Şeker Bayram photographs of the children we visited previously in the tent city. The camp is growing now and there are lots more children to treat. This time it was a happy day, the sun was shining and it’s lovely to see the kids dressed up for Bayram.

We were able to help out with donations we received, supplying desserts, sweets and balloons, along with Adem and his wonderful kitchen along with my sister-in-law, who all did an outstanding job, I just wish I could have been there. Thank you to all and I think the balloons went down a treat, although we will probably need to supply toothbrushes after all that sugar!

We still have enough in the pot to help out for another occasion, so will update you. Part of Özlem’s Turkish Table donations will help children in the Antakya area where Özlem is from. So, all in all, it’s been a great success, the children will continue to need support and a little bit of joy, if you wish to help you can purchase Özlem’s book here in Turkey, this is still ongoing and the book is available at Sumak Café, Üzümlü. All proceeds will be donated to help the children of South-eastern Türkiye.

To all our donors, we really would not have started this without you and to everyone who helped us achieve what we accomplished – Thank you!

If you wish to help or donate, please contact us via:

Sumak Café, Üzümlü: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sumakcafeuzumlu

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blossomhill_uzumlu

Email: info@essenceofturkey.com

The post A joyful day for the children of Adıyaman appeared first on Fethiye Times.