23rd April National Sovereignty and Children's Day celebrated

The 23rd of April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day was celebrated with ceremonies in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus alongside Turkey.

The day marks the 87th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Grand National Assembly during the Turkish War of Liberation under the leadership of the founder of modern Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.-who had ascribed the day to children in a sign of the great importance he attached to children who he saw as the future.

The celebrations in the TRNC had been going on since the start of the week and as part of the special events children groups from different countries were in the republic.

The ceremonies climaxed today with a number of events which took place in Lefkosa as well as other cities and towns in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The first was a wreath laying ceremony at Ataturk’s Monument in Lefkosa.

A variety of folklore dances, shows and parades were displayed at the day’s main event-at the Ataturk Stadium in Lefkosa.

Official celebrations kicked off yesterday with speech by the Minister of National Education and Culture- Canan Oztoprak broadcast live on BRT.

In her speech, the Minister said that the 23rd of April celebrations marked the 87th anniversary of the establishment of modern Turkey and the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Referring to the 9th International Children’s and Peace Festival, she said guests from sevaral countries including Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, Hungary, Turkey and the London-based Turkish schools are sharing our enthusiasm and that the celebrations have gained a multi-cultural nature with their participation.

Meanwhile, in addition to the annunal events, a Children’s Festival, also sponsored by the Lefkosa Municipality and the Ministry of National Education and Culture took place at the Lefkosa Fair Venue.

Another celebration was organized by the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces at the headquarters of the Security Forces in Bogazkoy.

The event was attended by the Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Major General Mehmet Eroz, military officers and noncommissioned officers’ families as well as student and teachers of the Agirdag-Dagyolu Primary School and their families.

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