The 23rd of April National Sovereignty and Children’s’ Day is being celebrated in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with week-long events.
The celebrations began on Monday with a cortege by primary school pupils in Lefke.
The event ended with various dance shows at the town centre.
In the capital Lefkoşa, events kicked off this morning with a cortege procession and opening ceremony.
Wreaths were laid at the Atatürk monument at 8:30am followed by a cortege to the Presidency where the cortege was greeted by President Ersin Tatar.
Delivering a few short remarks, President Ersin Tatar told the children that they should know the value of the day awarded to them by the founder of modern day Turkiye Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
He highlighted the importance of sovereignty and preserving the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The cortege then proceeded to the parliament building where the opening ceremony was realised.
Speaking at that event, the Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu highlighted the importance of raising future generations on the basis of values and principles of Atatürk.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Speaker of Parliament Zorlu Töre said that it was important for future generations to know their history and to defend their state.
“We will never make any concessions from our state,” he said, adding that the children were the greatest assurance for the country’s future.
Following the speeches, dance shows were performed and poems were recited.
Bayrak Radio Television Corporation (BRTK) broadcasted the cortege on BRT HD.
On Wednesday, 50 selected students will be filling in the seats at the Republic’s Assembly in a symbolic plenary session.
On Thursday, a number of races will be held and on Friday, a group of children will be paying separate visits to the Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, the Speaker of Parliament Zorlu Töre, President Ersin Tatar and Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu
BRTK will be broadcasting a special programme on Friday within the framework of the celebrations.
Six students from the TRNC, Turkiye, the UK and Azerbaijan will be taking part.
Celebrations on April 23 will begin with a speech to be delivered by the Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu on BRT at 8am.
The state ceremony will be held in front of the Atatürk monument in Lefkoşa at 10am.
Meanwhile a painting and photograph exhibition titled “Atatürk’s children” will be opened at the Merkez Lefkoşa at 6pm.
The exhibition will remain open until April 26.