Diyarbakirs International Children Festival

This year's festival dedicated to 6-year-old Enis Ata and 9-year-old Abdullah Duran who lost their lives when police opened fire during March incidents and thousands of children from Diyarbakir, around the country and abroad are attending.

Children from Spain, Iran and Syria have joined those from Diyarbakir, Semdinli, Tunceli, Bostanici, Cizre, Adana, Dogubeyazıt, Batman and Sanlıurfa for a series of events over four days that include colourful face paintings, animation shows, drum shows, children's fashion shows, ballet, readings and book corners, festival tents and visits to areas in the city.

On Sunday, thousands of children gathered in front of the Ugur Kaymaz Statue of the city where they held an opening march for the festival to Mardinkapı shouting slogans including "no to war, peace now immediately".

While the theme of the festival this year is "Let my dreams remain childish" most speeches marking the opening of the festival have concentrated on children rights and the conflict in the region that has affected children. (KO/II/YE)