TURKISH FESTIVALS

MAY 19 COMMEMORATION OF ATATÜRK,YOUTH AND SPORTS DAY Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, or simply Atatürk Commemoration or Youth and Sports Day, is an annual Turkısh National Holiday celebrated on May 19 to commemorate the start of the Turkısh War of Independence. May 19, 1919 is the day Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, then Mustafa Kemal, who would become independent Turkey's first president, landed on the main peninsula of Turkey to begin leadership of the liberation effort. In early 1920, Kemal convened the first Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, and by 1922 all of Anatoliawas freed from foreign rule. The independent Republic of Turkey was declared a year later. During the course of his term as president, Atatürk himself proclaimed May 19 as "Youth and Sports Day." In the aftermath of Atatürk, the day serves to honor the country's founder. Children sing the national anthem, play sports, parade, commemorate Atatürk and are reminded of the values of democracy and Turkey. Turkish Republic of Northern CyprusTurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus also commemorates this day, as it shares its culture and many of its holidays with Turkey.

Atatürk was born in But his birth date is not known. In one of his speeches he declared that he feels his birthday is May 19.

AUGUST 30 VICTORY DAY August 30 in Turkey Victory Day on August 30 is a national holiday in Turkey to commemorate the victory in the Battle of Dumlupınar, the final battle in the Turkish War of Independence in 1922.

TURKISH WAR OF INDEPENDENCE The Turkish War of Independence is the political and military resistance developed by Turkish Nationalists to the Allied partitioning of the Ottoman Empire after its defeat in World War I. The Turkish National Movement in Anatolia culminated in the formation of a new Grand National Assemblywhich successfully mobilized its resources under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal. After the military campaigns against offensives of Greece, and of the Turkish-Armenianand Franco-Turkish War, the Turkish revolutionaries forced the Allies to abandon the Treaty of Sèvres and negotiate the Treaty of Lausanne in July 1923, leaving Anatolia and Eastern Thrace to form theRepublic of Turkey in October The establishment of the Turkish national movement led to the end of the Ottoman millet system and with the Atatürk's reformscreated a modern, secular nation-state on the political front. millet

OCTOBER 29 REPUBLIC DAY October 29th in Turkey On October 29, 1923, the Turkish constitutionwas amended and Turkey became a republic. This formally declared the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Republic Day (Turkish: Cumhuriyet Bayramı ) is celebrated throughout Turkey every year. Commemorative events usually begin in the afternoon on the previous day. In observance of the holiday, government offices and schools close for a day. Also, there is a fireworks show in the İstanbul.

APRIL 23 SOVEREIGNTY AND CHILDREN’S DAY Turkey Official discourse in Turkey argues that Children's Day had its origin in Turkey. The Grand National Assembly of Turkey was established on 1920, April 23, and to commemorate the event, April 23 was proclaimed a national holiday in Since 1927 it has also become Children's Day (Turkish: Çocuk Bayramı ), an official holiday dedicated to the children of Turkey and the world. The day is celebrated annually in Turkey with spectacular activities.Grand National Assembly of TurkeyTurkish This national day (23 April National Sovereignty and Children's Day) is a unique event. The founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, dedicated April 23 to the children of the country to emphasize that they are the future of the new nation and entrusted in their hands the protection of this sovereignty and independence.23 April National Sovereignty and Children's Day Every year, the children in Turkey celebrate this "Sovereignty and Children's Day" as a national holiday. Schools participate in week-long ceremonies marked by performances in all fields in large stadiums watched by the entire nation. Among the activities on this day, the children send their representatives to replace state officials and high ranking bureaucrats in their offices. The President, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Ministers, provincial governors all turn over their positions to children, and they also replace the parliamentarians in the Grand National Assembly and hold a special session to discuss matters concerning children's issues. Over the last two decades, the Turkish officials have been working hard to internationalize this important day. Their efforts resulted in large number of world states' sending groups of children to Turkey to participate in the above stated festivities. During their stay in Turkey, the foreign children are housed in Turkish homes which provides opportunities for cultural exchange for all participants. They also participate in the GNA special session which results to be a truly "International Assembly", where children pledge their commitment to international peace and brotherhood.

RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS RAMADAN FEAST Muslims fast in a month every year.This month changes to Muslim Calender.If a muslim is not strong enough to fast,he/she helps poor people,gives them food for each day of Ramadan.Also everyone helps poor people if he /she could afford.. In the Feast, everybody visits each other,give presents. Scones,sweets,Turkish delight,chocolates and Turkish coffee are served to the guests.The old people and children are pleased.We visit the graveyards.

Fast: The fast is not to eat or drink anything between the morning and evening Moslem call.It is not enough to be hungry.Muslims learn to help people,to understand hungry people by staying hungry.They learn being patient to people like not breaking their heart and not getting angry. Prayer: It is a worship performed five times a day to abstract from material things.It is performed with body movements and praying.The main purpose is to think good,to be close to the god,to abstract mind and heart from worldly things.

SACRIFICE FEAST Muslims sacrifice sheep or cows once in a year if they can afford.They give some meat to the poor people,some meat to their neighbours and serve some meat to the guests. In the Feast, everybody visits each other,give presents. Scones,sweets,Turkish delight,chocolates and Turkish coffee are served to the guests.The old people and children are pleased.We visit the graveyards.

THANK YOU… İNÖNÜ PRIMARY SCHOOL-PROJECT TEAM… NOVEMBER-2008…