IMM President Ekrem İmamoğluhosted children who came to Istanbul from 15 different countries for the 'International April 23 Children's Festival' at the historical Assembly Hall in Saraçhane. İmamoğlu told the participants, including children from Palestine and Ukraine, “We have a lot to learn from children in order to end the wars and suffering in different parts of the world and, as Atatürk said, for peace to prevail at home and in the world. I hope that all adults in the world will learn the necessary lesson from children's feelings and thoughts about war as soon as possible. "I hope that the Palestinian and Ukrainian children we host will have a peaceful and peaceful life as soon as possible," he said.
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) President Ekrem İmamoğluhosted the children who came to the city for the world's first and only children's day, April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day, at the historical Assembly Hall in Saraçhane. İmamoğlu gave the following speech to children from 15 different countries, including Palestinian and Ukrainian children who experienced war, destruction and disaster:
“THE LANGUAGE THAT CHILDREN KNOW SO WELL AND ADULTS FORGOT IS THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP”
“We are faced with a very beautiful view. We are together with children from many different countries and different geographies of our country. Dear children who come to Istanbul from all over the world and our country and meet their siblings here; You gave us energy, you gave us joy, you gave us hope, you welcome us. During the 'International April 23 Children's Festival' that we organize, children will have fun at 19 different locations in Istanbul. They will showcase the dances of their own countries and regions. They will get to know each other's cultures. They will all watch concerts, sing songs and play games together. Even though they speak different languages, all children in the world immediately understand and bond with a universal language. The language that children know very well and that adults unfortunately forget is the language of love and friendship. That language is the language of peace and brotherhood.”
“WE UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATÜRK BETTER EVERY DAY”
“April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day, the world's first and only children's day, is not only the holiday of our country, but also the children of the whole world. We understand better every day the value of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our country, who gifted this unique holiday to our country and all humanity. We have a lot to learn from children to end the wars and suffering in different parts of the world and, as Atatürk said, to ensure peace prevails at home and in the world. First of all, we need to learn to respect children and take care of them. Respecting children starts with accepting that they too have rights. "Caring for children starts with accepting that they have their own special personalities."
“I KNOW VERY WELL THAT ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD ARE AGAINST WAR”
“All societies make efforts to prepare children for life and protect them from risks and dangers. They set rules and establish institutions for the education, health, safety and happiness of children. But unfortunately, wars suddenly render all these efforts in vain. I know very well that all the children who are our guests at this beautiful festival, all the children of our country and the world, are against the war. I hope that all adults in the world will learn the necessary lesson from children's feelings and thoughts about war as soon as possible. I hope that the Palestinian and Ukrainian children we host will have a peaceful and peaceful life as soon as possible. “I believe that the International April 23 Children's Festival will be very nice and fun, and everyone who participates will return home with unforgettable memories.”
GIFT AND MEMORIAL PHOTOS
After his speech, İmamoğlu, in alphabetical order; Bulgaria, People's Republic of China, Palestine, Georgia, Kosovo, Colombia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, North Macedonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Mexico, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine and Ağrı Cumhuriyet Primary School Folk Dance Ensemble, Gaziantep Kılıçarslan Secondary School, Hatay Samandağ Folk Dance Group The Education Center gave various gifts to the children from Malatya Gazi Primary School Folk Dances Community and Trabzon Akçaabat Folklore Sports Club and took a commemorative photo.