23.04.2025 08:50
The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), which played a significant role in taking important steps towards the Republic, is 105 years old today. The celebrations for April 23 began early in the morning. In Cappadocia, hot air balloons took off adorned with Turkish flags for the National Sovereignty and Children's Day on April 23. Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin visited Anıtkabir with children.
Under the leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), which initiated the War of Independence in the Anatolian and Rumelian territories under enemy occupation and took significant steps towards the Republic, was opened 105 years ago on April 23. The opening of the TBMM became one of the most important phases of the liberation struggle.
APRIL 23 CELEBRATION AT ANITKABIR
The first name to visit Anıtkabir within the scope of the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day was Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin. Minister Tekin visited Anıtkabir with children. Minister Tekin and the accompanying delegation laid a wreath at the mausoleum in Anıtkabir. Afterward, a moment of silence was observed, and the National Anthem was sung.
After the moment of silence, Minister Tekin signed the Anıtkabir Special Book. In his statement, Tekin said, "Dear Atatürk, on the 105th anniversary of the opening of the TBMM, we are here with our education family on April 23. As the Ministry of National Education, we are working to raise our children with a sense of democracy and national will. Our greatest duty is to raise generations that catch the spirit of the age and are at peace with their values. We are resolutely continuing our determination to raise hardworking and virtuous individuals. May your soul rest in peace."
MESSAGE FROM MINISTER TEKIN
Minister Tekin also published a message on his social media account on the occasion of April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day.
In his message addressed to children, Tekin stated that they are celebrating the 105th anniversary of the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, one of the strongest steps taken by the nation on the historical stage, and April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day with great enthusiasm and pride.
Tekin noted the following in his message:
"While walking in the footsteps of the past, I wish for you to shoulder the responsibility of the future, to grow up as a generation that thinks freely, follows the trail of truth, and at the same time does not sever its ties with its roots. As you prepare for a prosperous future, we, as the education family, will always stand by your side. On this occasion, I commemorate with respect, gratitude, and reverence all our heroes who contributed to the achievement of our national sovereignty, especially the founder of our Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and I sincerely celebrate April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day for all the children of our country and the world."
APRIL 23 CELEBRATIONS HAVE BEGUN
In Cappadocia, which is on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List, hot air balloons that allow tourists to view Cappadocia from above were prepared for the tour before sunrise. Balloons, which had Turkish flags and Atatürk posters hung on their baskets by the officials for the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day, took off into the sky one after another as the sun rose.
The hot air balloons rising from the launch sites in Göreme and Ortahisar passed over the Göreme Open Air Museum, Pigeon Valley, and Göreme Town before landing in the Valley of Love. A total of 156 hot air balloons, which took off simultaneously and had Turkish flags in their baskets, created a visual feast in the sky.
Balloon pilot Kemal Kaya said, "Today we will celebrate April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day in the sky. This holiday is the only holiday dedicated to children in Turkey and the world. Our flight will last approximately one hour."
HERE IS THE APRIL 23 PROGRAM
The General Assembly of the TBMM will convene with a special agenda on April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the opening of the Assembly.
According to the information compiled from the ceremony program for the 105th anniversary of the TBMM's opening, the first ceremony will begin with TBMM President Numan Kurtulmuş laying a wreath at the Atatürk Monument in the Assembly on Wednesday, April 23, where a moment of silence will be observed and the National Anthem will be sung.
The delegation led by Kurtulmuş will then visit Anıtkabir. After TBMM President Kurtulmuş lays a wreath at the mausoleum, a moment of silence will be observed, and the National Anthem will be sung. Kurtulmuş will sign the Anıtkabir Special Book at the National Pact Tower.
Later, a memorial ceremony will be held at the First Grand National Assembly of Turkey. The speech made by the oldest member, Sinop Deputy Şerif Bey, during the opening of the TBMM on April 23, 1920, will be voiced. After a moment of silence and the National Anthem, TBMM President Kurtulmuş will give a speech here and sign the Special Book.
The TBMM General Assembly will convene on the same day at 14:00 with a special agenda. After the session is opened, the National Anthem will be sung. Speeches will be made on behalf of the political parties represented in the TBMM.