23 APRIL INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY

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Altan ÖZYÜREK

Kiminin saçı siyah,
Kiminin saçı sarı...
Ankara’da buluştu,
Dünyanın çocukları.

Her Yirmi Üç Nisan’da
Tekrarlanır bu olay.
Buluşma nedenini,
Açıklamak çok kolay.

Bu kocaman dünyada
Ülke sayısı çoktur.
Oysa ki hiç birinin
Çocuk Bayramı yoktur.

Dünyanın çocukları
Yurdumuza koşuyor,
Her Yirmi Üç Nisan’da
Cıvıldaşıp coşuyor.

Türkiye konuklarla,
Kalpler sevgiyle dolsun.
Dünya Çocuk Bayramı
Herkese mutlu olsun!

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

"Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the people" M. Kemal Atatürk

APRIL 23 INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY

This national day (23 April National Sovereignty and Children's Day) in Turkey is a unique event. The founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, dedicated April 23 to the children of the country to emphasize that they are the future of the new nation. It was on April 23, 1920, during the War of Independence, that the Grand National Assembly met in Ankara and laid down the foundations of a new, independent, secular, and modern republic from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. Following the defeat of the Allied invasion forces on September 9, 1922 and the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne on July 24, 1923, Ataturk started his task of establishing the institutions of the new state. Over the next eight years, Ataturk and his followers adopted sweeping reforms to create a modern Turkey, divorced from her Ottoman past. In unprecedented moves, he dedicated the sovereignty day to the children and entrusted in the hands of the youth the protection of this sovereignty and independence.

Every year, the children in Turkey celebrate this "Sovereignty and Children's Day" as a national holiday. Schools participate in week-long ceremonies marked by performances in all fields in large stadiums watched by the entire nation. Among the activities on this day, the children send their representatives to replace state officials and high ranking bureaucrats in their offices. The President, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Ministers, provincial governors all turn over their positions to children's representatives. These children, in turn, sign executive orders relating to educational and environmental policies. On this day, the children also replace the parliamentarians in the Grand National Assembly and hold a special session to discuss matters concerning children's issues.

Over the last two decades, the Turkish officials have been working hard to internationalize this important day. Their efforts resulted in large number of world states' sending groups of children to Turkey to participate in the above stated festivities. 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. 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.

The importance of April 23 as a special day of children has been recognized by the international community. UNICEF decided to recognize this important day as the International Children's Day.

This article was distributed to the guests of the first April 23 Children's Day on University of Missouri-Columbia Campus, which was organized by the Turkish Students' Association in April, 1992.

Comments

	PolloPatagonico [deleted] says: you are taking better pictures day by day. Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )
	boncuk says: 23 Nisan kutlu olsun hepimize..fotoğraf ise çok güzel! Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )
	VeYSeL's PhOtO BaTHRooM says: çok hoş bi foto...gençliğimi hatırladım:)) Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )
	bRk yLmz says: Sakın düşme küçük kız sıkıca tutun... 1 günde olsa senin işte. saatlerin hepsi.. =) Tebrik ederim başak. Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )
	BaŞaK says: herkese tesekkurler / many thanX to everyone Burak yorumuna bayildim cok mersi ;) Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )
	Ciiden says: cok tatlı gorunuyo ayaga kalkmaya calısıyodu heralde :) Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )
	BaŞaK says: evet oyle tesekkurler. Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )
	V a n C a t =^..^= says: Basak'cim ne guzel bir anma oldu,siirle ve de harika bir cocuk fotosuyla! tebrikler Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )
	baby7 says: Çok güzel...Şiirle harika bir bütünlük sağlamış. Ellerine sağlık Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken with a Fujifilm FinePix S5600.
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Taken on April 20, 2007

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23 APRIL INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY

Comments

PolloPatagonico [deleted] says:

boncuk says:

VeYSeL's PhOtO BaTHRooM says:

bRk yLmz says:

BaŞaK says:

*Ciiden* says:

BaŞaK says:

V a n C a t =^..^= says:

baby7 says:

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Ciiden says: