APRIL 23 INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY
This national day (23 April National Sovereignty and
Children's Day) in Turkey is a unique event. The founder of the Turkish
Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, dedicated April 23 to the children of the
country to emphasize that they are the future of the new nation. It was on
April 23, 1920, during the War of Independence, that the Grand National
Assembly met in Ankara and laid down the foundations of a new, independent,
secular, and modern republic from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. Following
the defeat of the Allied invasion forces on September 9, 1922 and the signing
of the Treaty of Lausanne on July 24, 1923, Ataturk started his task of
establishing the institutions of the new state. Over the next eight years,
Ataturk and his followers adopted sweeping reforms to create a modern Turkey,
divorced from her Ottoman past. In unprecedented moves, he dedicated the
sovereignty day to the children and entrusted in the hands of the youth the
protection of this sovereignty and independence.
Every year, the children in Turkey celebrate this
"Sovereignty and Children's Day" as a national holiday. Schools
participate in week-long ceremonies marked by performances in all fields in
large stadiums watched by the entire nation. Among the activities on this day,
the children send their representatives to replace state officials and high
ranking bureaucrats in their offices. The President, the Prime Minister, the
Cabinet Ministers, provincial governors all turn over their positions to
children's representatives. These children, in turn, sign executive orders
relating to educational and environmental policies. On this day, the children
also replace the parliamentarians in the Grand National Assembly and hold a
special session to discuss matters concerning children's issues.
Over the last two decades, the Turkish officials have been
working hard to internationalize this important day. Their efforts resulted in
large number of world states' sending groups of children to Turkey to
participate in the above stated festivities. During their stay in Turkey, the
foreign children are housed in Turkish homes and find an important opportunity
to interact with the Turkish kids and learn about each other's countries and
cultures. The foreign children groups also participate in the special session
of the Grand National Assembly. This results in a truly international Assembly
where children pledge their commitment to international peace and brotherhood.
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