April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children's Day
Get ready to celebrate a truly unique and joyful national holiday! We are thrilled to invite you to our spectacular celebration of 23 Nisan Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı—April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children's Day.
This is not just any holiday; it is a gift from the founder of our Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who dedicated this day to all the children of Turkey and the world. It is a day filled with laughter, hope, and the vibrant spirit of our youth, symbolizing that children are the future of our nation.
What is April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children's Day?
For our children and friends learning about Turkish culture, here is why this day is so special:
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A Day of Double Celebration: On April 23, 1920, the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) was opened in Ankara. This marked the birth of our modern republic and the principle of "national sovereignty"—the idea that the power to govern comes from the people.
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A Gift from Atatürk: Understanding that children are the guardians of the future, the great leader Atatürk dedicated this day to all children. This makes Turkey the first and only country in the world to dedicate a national holiday to its children.
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A Festival of Peace and Friendship: Every year, children from all around the world come to Turkey to celebrate together. It is a powerful message of peace, unity, and international friendship.
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Children Take the Lead: On this day, children symbolically take over positions in the government, schools, and media, emphasizing their importance in society.
At West London Turkish School, we carry on this beautiful tradition by putting our students at the center of a day full of fun, performance, and pride!
Our Festival Program:
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Grand Opening & Flag Ceremony: The ceremony will begin with a procession of our students carrying Turkish flags and the flags of different nations, representing the international spirit of the day.
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Singing of the National Anthem (İstiklal Marşı): We will proudly sing our National Anthem together, followed by the beloved children's anthem "23 Nisan".
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Welcome Speech... by a Student! In the true spirit of the day, one of our students will take the stage to deliver the opening speech as our symbolic "School Principal for the Day"!
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Student Performances: The Heart of Our Celebration:
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Folk Dance Show: Our students will perform colorful folk dances from different regions of Turkey.
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Poetry Recitals: Children will recite powerful poems about national sovereignty, peace, and the joy of childhood.
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Chorus Performance: Our school choir will sing joyful songs like "23 Nisan" and "Dünya Çocuk Bayramı".
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Dress Code: We encourage all children to wear red and white (the colors of the Turkish flag), traditional Turkish clothes (kıyafetler), or national costumes from their heritage. Let's make it a colorful and festive sight!
This day is a beautiful expression of our love for our children and our hope for their bright future. Your presence and cheers will make this celebration even more meaningful.
We can't wait to see the joy in our children's eyes as we celebrate this very special day together.