Turkey Marks Centenary of Children's Day Amid Pandemic

Photos: AA

Click to read the article in Turkish

Turkey has marked the 100th anniversary of the foundation in parliament with restricted official ceremonies amid the coronavirus pandemic.

President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also released a video message to celebrate the day, saying, "I congratulate the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish parliament, and the Children's Day of all children in Turkey and around the world."

Bahçeli and Kılıçdaroğlu at the first parliament.

Meanwhile, senior government officials and politicians under the chairpersonship of Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop attended a ceremony held at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic.

People are offered sanitizers at Anıtkabir.

Vice President Fuat Oktay, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli and Good (İYİ) Party leader Meral Akşener also attended the ceremony.

Taksim Square, İstanbul

After leaving a wreath at the mausoleum, the board observed a moment of silence and sang the National Anthem. The event was kept limited as a precaution against the novel coronavirus, with participants donning face masks.

Turkey marks April 23, the parliament opening anniversary, as a festival for children, while public offices, schools and the private citizens also hold programs.

Cumhuriyet Square, İzmir

The celebrations have been dedicated to children since the early days of the country at Atatürk's instruction.

The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) met for the first time in Ankara in 1920 during the War of Independence to lay the foundations for an independent, secular and modern republic. (DB/VK)