25.04.2026 01:05
It emerged that a similar protest, where CHP members turned their backs to children during a mehter march performance in Gaziantep, also occurred in Denizli. Educators reacted to the school administration, which had the mehter march turned off during the children's performance.
The incident in Gaziantep, where CHP Provincial Chairman Vakkas Acar and his delegation turned their backs on a children's mehter team performing at the April 23 celebrations, sparked widespread backlash across the country.
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION REJECTED THE MEHTER MARCH
In an event at Zübeyde Hanım Kindergarten in Pamukkale district during the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day celebrations, a mehter show prepared by the joint decision of some teachers and parents was deemed unsuitable by the school administration and was sought to be removed from the program.
THEY CUT THE PERFORMANCE SHORT
However, following negotiations, the students performed the show. While the performance was ongoing, a female teacher who went to the music system intervened and stopped the music. Despite the interruption, the students maintained their stance and completed the mehter show without music. Educators, stating that this situation negatively affected the students, expressed their reaction against the school administration and the teacher who blocked the mehter show.
"THE REFLECTION OF NATIONAL VALUES SHOULD NOT BE PREVENTED"
Feyzullah Öselmiş, President of Eğitim-Bir Sen Denizli 1st Branch, emphasizing that the mehter is an important part of Turkish history and cultural heritage, said they contacted the school administration and the Provincial Directorate of National Education after the unfortunate incident. Stating that such activities are valuable for instilling national consciousness in children, Öselmiş said, "Preventing the mehter show, a symbol of our history, on a meaningful day like April 23 is unacceptable. We also regretfully learned of allegations that a teacher at the same school imposed restrictions regarding prayer time. As Eğitim-Bir Sen, we will do everything we can to ensure that the youth of this country grow up connected to their roots and national-spiritual values. We demand that necessary actions be taken against those responsible," calling on authorities regarding the incident.