Turkey Celebrates National Sovereignty And Children's Day (VIDEO UPDATE)

The Turkish nation marked National Sovereignty and Children's Day with celebrations throughout Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) on Wednesday.

Colorful ceremonies at primary schools took place across the country to mark the day. Ceremonies were also held in the offices of Turkey's foreign representatives. Early in the day, high-level state officials led by Parliament Speaker Cemil Çiçek visited the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.

Çiçek was accompanied by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli and several ministers, as well as officials from various political parties, deputies and parliamentary personnel. Parliament also convened for the day.

As usually occurs in April 23 celebrations, Erdoğan hosted a young student, this time Göker İnan, a pupil at a primary school in Ankara, in the prime ministry building. This is a symbolic gesture in which the prime minister hands over his authority to children.

After sitting in the prime minister's chair in Erdoğan's office, İnan gave a short statement: “I thank our prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is the real owner of this post, for allowing me to sit here. I also thank Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who granted this happy day to us [children].”

When faced with questions about the country's agenda while in the prime minister's seat, İnan was careful not to touch on hot political topics. To the question of whether he wanted to become the first president in a Turkish presidential system, İnan replied, “No, I'm happy as I am.”

As he did last year, Erdoğan called on children to put aside their computer games and step into the street to play. “Do not keep away from parks, streets. Roll in the grass. Do not become captives of your computers; let them be your prisoners. Instead of computer games, choose to play real games with your friends," he advised.

SHOTLIST
TURKEY, ISTANBUL, 23 APR 2014

VAR of celebratıon ceremonies accross Turkey

DURATION: 04:28