The Hollanda Atatürkçü Düşünce Derneği celebrated the 23 Nisan Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı (23rd of April National Sovereignty and Children's Day) with great enthusiasm on April 22, 2025. The event brought together a large number of participants, with the joy and energy of the children reminding everyone of the significance of this special day. The celebrations began with a moment of silence followed by the İstiklal Marşı (Independence March).
Ahmed Hafız delivered a speech in Dutch, while İlayda spoke in Turkish about the meaning and importance of 23 Nisan, garnering significant appreciation from the audience. The artistic aspect of the program was enriched by performances from İdil, who played the violin, and poetry recitations by İlaya and Asya. Additionally, Rüya from Ayalin Müzik ve Kültür Vakfı performed a captivating flute piece.
Following the presentations, the festivities moved to the playground in the association's garden. Children engaged in a variety of fun activities including rope pulling, egg carrying, dancing, egg hunting, face painting, memory games, and creative painting and cutting. Those who successfully completed the game tracks were treated to a special children's menu and received medals featuring the "23 Nisan" emblem as a keepsake.
A delightful surprise came from the Atam Bikers motorcycle club, which organized a short motorcycle tour for the children. The excitement and joy in the children's eyes made this memorable experience even more special. The association expressed gratitude to Atam Bikers for their meaningful contribution to the event.
The day concluded with a performance by the Zeybek team, led by Zeybek teacher Süleyman Tırçiçek, who captivated the audience with their impressive display, earning loud applause. The strong interest shown in the event has motivated the association to consider organizing more extensive events in larger venues in the future. The Hollanda Atatürkçü Düşünce Derneği will continue to celebrate this meaningful day, gifted to children by Atatürk, with joy and pride.
In a related celebration, TBMM Başkanı Numan Kurtulmuş addressed attendees at a commemoration ceremony held in the First Parliament. He emphasized the importance of reflecting on the lessons learned from the past while celebrating 23 Nisan with great enthusiasm. Kurtulmuş remarked, "A nation that had no tools to dig itself out of hardship stood up again and declared to the world that it would never give up its freedom!"
On April 23, 2025, Kurtulmuş, along with a delegation that included Cumhurbaşkanı Yardımcısı Cevdet Yılmaz, ministers, and CHP Genel Başkanı Özgür Özel, visited Anıtkabir. He laid a wreath on Atatürk's mausoleum and wrote in the Anıtkabir Special Book, acknowledging the day as one to remember not just Turkish children but children from all around the world.
In his message, Ticaret Bakanı Ömer Bolat congratulated the 105th anniversary of the Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi (Grand National Assembly of Turkey) and the 23 Nisan Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı. He expressed his heartfelt wishes for the day, honoring Atatürk and all heroes who contributed to the establishment of the Assembly and the independence struggle.
Cumhurbaşkanı Yardımcısı Cevdet Yılmaz highlighted that 23 Nisan 1920 was a historic turning point where the nation took control of its destiny, laying the foundations for the Republic and democracy. He stated, "The Grand National Assembly of Turkey, established 105 years ago, made the nation's will the main source of politics."
In a message shared for the occasion, İçişleri Bakanı Ali Yerlikaya noted, "23 Nisan is a day that symbolizes the foundation of our nation's will, and it is a hope that rises in the smiles of our children." Meanwhile, Milli Eğitim Bakanı Yusuf Tekin led a group of ministry bureaucrats, teacher representatives, and students to Atatürk's mausoleum, reaffirming their commitment to educating children in line with democratic values.
Ulaştırma Bakanı Abdulkadir Uraloğlu also commemorated the day, stating, "I celebrate the 23 Nisan Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı with heartfelt wishes. You, our children, are the hope of this country and the architects of a strong Turkey."
However, amidst the celebrations, political tensions surfaced as the Ankara Governorship banned CHP's application to march from the First Parliament to Anıtkabir on 23 Nisan. The governorship cited traffic congestion as the reason, but many believe the underlying issue is political. CHP leader Özgür Özel announced that they would not recognize this ban, calling on citizens to gather at the First Parliament at 5 PM.
The article reflects a stark contrast between the political climate of the 23 Nisan celebrations in 2024 and those of 2025. Last year, the atmosphere was marked by the local elections, which emphasized the importance of the people's vote. In contrast, this year’s celebrations are overshadowed by discussions about the elections and the perceived erosion of voting rights.
As political tensions rise, the 105th anniversary of the assembly serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for democracy and the importance of the people's voice. The celebrations of 23 Nisan are not just a commemoration of a historical event but also a call to action for the current generation to uphold the values of freedom and democracy.
