OVERCOMING XENOPHOBIA THROUGH A DEEPER

UNDERSTANDING OF EUROPEAN CULTURE

2010-2012“NATIONAL HOLIDAYS”GAZI PRIMARY SCHOOL

TURKEY

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NATIONAL HOLIDAYS IN TURKEY23rd April: National Sovereignty and Children's Day

19th May: Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day

Commemoration of the beginning of national liberation movement initiated in 1919 by Atatürk’s landing in Samsun. Dedicated to the youth.

30th August: Victory Day

Commemoration of the victory of Turkish Independence War. Dedicated to the armed forces.

29th October: Republic Day

Commemoration of the proclamation of Turkish Republic in 1923

23rd April: National Sovereignty and Children's Day

Background

The Turkish Grand National Assembly met in Ankara and laid down the foundations of Turkish Republic on April 23, 1920, during Turkey’s War of Independence (1919-1923). The founder of Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk proclaimed the parliament an important step toward building a new , independent, secular, and modern republic after the Ottoman Empire. Ataturk dedicated this day to the children of the country to emphasize that they are the future of the new nation.

Every year, Turkey celebrate "Sovereignty and Children's Day" as a national holiday.

The biggest ceremony takes place at the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara.Ataturk loved children and he often said: "Children are a new beginning of tomorrow".

First Turkish Grand National Assembly Building

Every year, Turkey celebrate "Sovereignty and Children's Day" as a national holiday.The biggest ceremony takes place at the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara.

Schools participate in week-long ceremonies marked by performances in all fields in stadiums.

Turkish schoolchildren take seats in the Parliament for the day and symbolically govern the country.

Children show their appreciation and celebrate their special day with their own parades, dance, music performances and all sorts of children's entertainment throughout the day

23rd April: National Sovereignty and Children's Day

Every April 23, The state-run Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) organizes a very colorful and cheerful festival and 600 children from different countries around the world participate in these festivities.

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.

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.

In the 1980's, UNICEF recognized the Children's Holiday and it has since been celebrated more like an International Children's Day.

Ataturk loved children and he often said: "Children are a new beginning of tomorrow".

REMEMBER…

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING IN THE WORLD IS A SMILING CHILD…

DO NOT FORGET IT