Clad mostly in bright red, children aged 6-12 years from more than 15 countries along with Omani children gathered on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at the lawns of Al Bustan, a Ritz Carlton Hotel to send out a message of peace, love and harmony. The event was part of the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day celebration of the Embassy of Turkey in Oman. It aimed to foster a culture of brotherly cooperation with the activities, an opportunity where kids can bond and the friendship they form will contribute to friendly relations among nations in the not so distant future.
The celebration was composed of variety of cultural and social activities that called for the children’s participation.
“My message for the children is that they are going to be the future politicians, rulers, officials and they need to promote harmony and peace and love among the nations they lead,” Atılay Ersan, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey told the Observer.
He added that April 23 is the opening day of the Turkish Grand National Assembly for the first time and the father of Turkey, Mustafa Kamal Ataturk, was the first chairman. Ersan said that Ataturk has been a proud supporter of the importance of the Children’s Day especially that the kids of today are definitely the future leaders of their countries.
“Since 1979, the decision was made to celebrate April 23 as National Children’s Day,” he said.
The biggest Children’s Day ceremony takes place at the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara. Solemn ceremonies and children’s festivals take place throughout Turkey during this day. It also became a customary for children to take seats in the Turkish Parliament and symbolically govern the country for one day.
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