Nation marks 104th year of parliament on Children’s Day

ANKARA

Millions of Turkish citizens on April 23 participated in a large number of colorful celebrations and ceremonies to commemorate the 104th anniversary of the opening of the parliament and celebrate National Sovereignty and Children's Day.

During the War of Independence, lawmakers convened for the first time in the capital Ankara in 1920, laying the foundations for an independent and modern republic.

Modern Türkiye founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk proclaimed April 23 as a national holiday a year later and further enhanced this decision in 1929 by dedicating this day to children and ensuring its celebration as Children’s Day.

In the early hours of the morning, Education Minister Yusuf Tekin and representative children from all 81 provinces of the country visited Anıtkabir, Atatürk's mausoleum, continuing a long-standing tradition.

Accompanied by teachers, the ceremony witnessed a minute of silence and the recitation of the national anthem, as the minister inscribed in the special memorial book at Anıtkabir his steadfast commitment to following in the footsteps of the country's founding leader.

Among the second guests at Anıtkabir were Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş and his delegation, emphasizing in his speech the parliament as a symbol of the will of the people.

"The parliament will continue with determination, guided by the principles of democracy and republicanism, rooted in human and national values," Kurtulmuş said.

Kurtulmuş and some members of parliament later held a ceremony at the historical building where the parliament convened for the first time.

On this special day dedicated to children by Atatürk, they took center stage in all activities, with many politicians traditionally handing over their seats to children for a day.

The session in parliament was also chaired by Aysima Arslan, a sixth-grade student, while children occupied the seats of the deputies.

"Today, it is the duty of every Turkish citizen to work towards honoring the legacy [of Atatürk and first deputies] and leaving a better Türkiye for future generations,” Arslan said.

Meanwhile, in schools across the country, children who had been diligently rehearsing for months staged various performances, recitals and concerts.

Owing to Atatürk's gesture of gifting the April 23 not only to Turkish but also all children worldwide, numerous children from abroad participated in the festivities.

In the tourism region of Cappadocia, hot air balloons adorned with Atatürk posters and Turkish flags took flight. The Turkish Air Force's aerobatics team, the Turkish Stars, showcased a breathtaking performance in the skies of the southern province of Antalya, while the Naval Forces Command visited 23 ports with 23 ships.

Music teacher Ezgi Karaman gave a concert with earthquake-affected students in the eastern province of Malatya.