May 19 Youth and Sports Day Observed Amid Coronavirus Measures

* Photos and news: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Today is May 19, the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in Turkey. Observed as a national holiday and with the curfew in force in 15 major cities of Turkey as part of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) measures, the day has been celebrated with social distancing and masks.

On the occasion of May 19, Minister of Youth and Sports Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu attended the ceremony held in Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's Monumental Tomb in the capital city of Ankara earlier today.

As part of coronavirus measures, people took care to keep their social distance, they were seen to be wearing masks.

* Photo: Ahmet İzgi/AA.

Minister of Youth and Sports Kasapoğlu wrote the following to the official memorial book of the monumental tomb: "Not giving up on loving one another or protecting the law of each other, we are carrying our country to the future, as glorious as itself, by raising love, justice and solidarity."

After signing the book, Minister Kasapoğlu had his picture taken with 16 young people and his delegation in front of the monumental tomb.

In İstanbul, a ceremony was held at the Republic Monument in Taksim Square. Cemil Bağlama, the İstanbul Provincial Director of Youth Services and Sports, placed a wreath on the Republic Monument.

İstanbul Deputy Governor Ahmet Önal, İstanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and party representatives also attended the ceremony.

After the ceremony, İstanbul Mayor İmamoğlu and party representatives placed their wreaths on the monument. (Photo: Emrah Yorulmaz/AA)

* Photo: Barış Yalçınkaya/ AA.

In Turkey's eastern province of Erzincan, Ali Zaimoğlu, a pilot from the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK) and the Director of Aeronautical Training Center, performed a flight by opening the Turkish flag and a banner. 

* Photo: Adem Koçak/ AA.

In the central Anatolian province of Aksaray, wreaths were placed in a ceremony to mark the May 19 Youth and Sports Day.

* Photo: Mesut Karaduman/ AA.

In Tekirdağ province in northwestern Turkey, wreaths were left to celebrate the day. The ones who attended the ceremony wore masks.

* Photo: Mustafa Çiftçi/AA.

In the Mediterranean province of Antalya, the Municipality of Kepez celebrated May 19 Youth and Sports Day in a cortege of classic cars due to the COVID-19 measures. (DB/SD)