It’s been rather a hectic week. Apart from still trying to finish things off at the hotel, 23 April is Children’s Day in Turkey. It is celebrated everywhere with fantastic dance and gymnastic displays for which the children (and teachers) spend months preparing. Kaan’s school go even further and organize an International Children’s Dance Festival.
The day was designated Children’s Festival in 1927 with the aim of celebrating children as the future of the nation. The date is significant because it commemorates the first day the Turkish Grand National Assembly met in 1920 as they struggled to establish the new republic against the Allies who were happily dividing up the land that is now Turkey! Atatürk, the first Prime Minister of the new Republic, dedicated the date to the children who would be the protectors of its freedom. The actual name of the holiday is National Sovereignty and Children’s Festival.
To support this, one of the traditions of Children’s Day is for children to take over top official roles for the day and give their ideas and wishes. It has also always been the aim to make it an international holiday and many children from other countries are invited to take part in the celebrations.
Kaan’s school have about 500 children visiting from 12 countries. They come from places as diverse as Russia and Indonesia and spend the week being taken out and entertained, as well as entertaining with their dancing. Last night was the actual competition and the Indonesian group won for the second year, but it is lovely just to see all the different costumes and the different styles of dance.
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| One of the dancers from Kazakistan |
Some of the groups stay in hotels and some stay with families; we have a 10-year old Lithuanian boy who endured a 3-day coach journey to get here and has the same to face going home this week. He is quiet and polite but speaks good English for a 10 year old and after the first night, when he spoke with his mum and was a bit teary, he has been fine!
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| Kaan and his friend |
In addition to all this, we had a big wedding to go to on Saturday. Some of you might have seen the Cem’s pictures of the bridal car which he organized and drove – nothing sleek and elegant of course but a huge, mean Dodge Ram pick up! The groom was delighted but I think the bride must have struggled to climb into it in her gown.
Then, of course, it was Easter weekend, which doesn't get a lot of attention here except among the ex-pats but we did celebrate with a few (specially brought over) chocolate eggs.
Then, of course, it was Easter weekend, which doesn't get a lot of attention here except among the ex-pats but we did celebrate with a few (specially brought over) chocolate eggs.
And finally, though it didn’t focus in our activities, 23 April is also St George’s Day and here are a couple of facts that amazed me when I discovered them. Firstly, St George is in no way exclusively English and is actually the patron saint of quite a list lot of countries – including Lithuania; and secondly, though there are various accounts of his life, he appears to have come from Cappadocia in Turkey!
