The TRNC celebrates National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
TODAY is National Sovereignty and Children’s Day in North Cyprus and Turkey, with a number of events planned to commemorate the day.
The date marks the 102nd anniversary of the establishment of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in 1920, with the date declared a public holiday in Turkey from 1921 onwards.
In 1927, the day was also declared Children’s Day, and has been celebrated as such ever since.
The day will begin with a speech by National Education Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu on BRT TV at 8am, before a ceremony will be held at the Atatürk statue at the Girne Kapısı (Kyrenia Gate) of Lefkoşa’s walled city at 10am.
Each school across the country will organise its own programme to commemorate the day.
In Lefkoşa, dance group “21 Dance Company” will be performing as part of the Dereboyu Spring Festival, with various other children’s activities, concerts, and performances set to take place in the Dereboyu area throughout the day.
The Lefkoşa Tour Train will also be operating throughout the day. Güzelyurt will play host to a Children’s Concert, which will be held at the town’s Atatürk Cultural Centre, and will start at 8pm, featuring the band Grup SOS and child performers.
In Alsancak, the Heaven Restaurant and Cafe are hosting an open playground for children today, with other events such as a tug of war, a sackrace, and a basketball shooting tournament to come tomorrow.
Some events to mark April 23 have already taken place, including an official parade in Lefkoşa on Tuesday by children from 16 primary schools.