Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun: "We regard every member of the Turkish-American community, which does not break their ties and retains strong relations with the homeland, as a representative of our nation and almost as a 'citizen diplomat'."
Under the coordination of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, the "Turkish Day Parade", which was first held in 1981 as a reaction to the assassination of Turkish diplomats in the US by the Armenian terrorist organisation ASALA, was held in New York.
In his video message where Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun addressed the Turkish-American people at the 39th annual parade, said, "The traditionalisation of this parade, which was attended by thousands of people from the Turkic world, especially Türkiye, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Azerbaijan, is extremely meaningful and valuable for us".
Conveying the greetings of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the participants, Director of Communications Altun said, "It is crucial to keep alive and reflect the voice, culture and values of our country in places where we live far away from our homeland. We regard every member of the Turkish-American community, which does not break their ties and retains strong relations with the homeland, as a representative of our nation and almost as a 'citizen diplomat'."
Director of Communications Altun stated that they always support Turks in America to take a more active role in civil society and political life.
Theme "To the Centennial with the Star and the Crescent"
Noting that this year's theme of the parade, which was held with the support of the Directorate of Communications, is "To the Centennial with the Crescent and Star", Director of Communications Altun said, "Events such as the Turkish Day Parade indicate our unity and solidarity, cooperation and commitment, as well as the Turkish presence in America. It also serves to introduce the richness of our country to the American society in which you live and convey the voice of our nation."
Director of Communications Altun said, "We are very glad and proud to see that the streets of New York and Manhattan are once again adorned with our red and white crescent and star flags."
Fahrettin Altun thanked all associations and organisations that contributed to the organisation of the parade, especially the New York Consulate General, the Washington Embassy, and the Federation of Turkish-American Associations.
The parade was held cheerfully
The Turkish Day Parade, which highlights the unity and solidarity of the Turkish-American community, witnessed the official parade of ceremonial vehicles belonging to various associations and organisations, starting from the famous Madison Avenue in Manhattan.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism Istanbul Historical Turkish Music Ensemble Mehter Band (Ottoman Janissary Band) was the fascinating team in the parade. Some US citizens were drawn to the Mehter Band's march.
Fans of Trabzonspor, who won the Turkish Super League after 38 years, composed the parade's most crowded convoy.
Fans of other Turkish football teams, including Beşiktaş, Galatasaray, and Fenerbahçe saluted the protocol during the parade in addition to Trabzonspor fans.
The parade was attended by Turkish Airlines, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Turkish schools in the United States, and Turkish cognate and related communities, primarily from Azerbaijan and the TRNC.
In the protocol tribune set up on Madison Avenue, Türkiye's Ambassador to Washington Hasan Murat Mercan, Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the United Nations Feridun Sinirlioğlu and Consul General in New York Reyhan Özgür were present. Deputy chair of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Mevlüt Karakaya, and Justice and Development Party's Istanbul Deputy Ravza Kavakcı Kan, Justice and Development Party's Antalya Deputy Atay Uslu, Deputy Director of Communications Çağatay Özdemir as well as the other guests, attended the parade from Türkiye.
Celebrations for the 39th "Turkish Day Parade" in New York continued at the festival grounds
While the traditional "Turkish Day Parade," organised for the 39th time in New York under the coordination of the Directorate of Communications, continues in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Washington Hasan Murat Mercan stated at the festival, "Our goal is to preserve our Turkish identity and pass it on to new generations."
Addressing the Turkish-American community at Dag Hammarskjold, on the corner of 2nd Avenue at 47th Street in Manhattan, where the parade's festival part takes place, Mercan said, "Our goal is to preserve our Turkish identity and pass it on to new generations. Thanks to this parade, our unity and solidarity will be strengthened. I would like to express my gratitude to all of our organisations for their contributions to the event's success.”
Mercan added that Turkish teachers were brought in from Türkiye and assigned to schools so that Turkish children born and raised in the United States could learn Turkish.
Pointing out that the most magnificent Turkish Parade of the last ten years took place, Consul General in New York Reyhan Özgür said, “We held the most important parade in the recent time together. Next year, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, we will do more. I would like to thank, one by one, everyone who organised today's spectacular parade.”
Great participation was seen at the festival
The Turkish-American people showed great interest in both the parade and the festival part of the event, which was supported and coordinated by the Directorate of Communications.
The interest in the event, which was not staged last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was high this year and approximately 5,000 people gathered in the parade and festival area according to official sources.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who attended the celebration in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, also demonstrated his affection and friendship for the Turkish-American community.
Following the anthems by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Istanbul Historical Turkish Music Ensemble Mehter Band, with the contribution of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, Selçuk University folk dance team and Izmir Dance Art Folk Dance Ensemble presented examples of Turkish folkloric culture.
With singer Hande Yener, who took the stage at the end of the 39th "Turkish Day Parade" celebrations in New York, the participants spent joyful time.
In New York, the "Turkish Day Children's Festival" was staged for the first time as part of the 39th "Turkish Day Parade. Children from the surrounding states and their families, especially the students of the US Maarif Foundation School, Atatürk School, Atatürk's Heritage Republic School, attended the festival. Within the course of the activity, teachers read Turkish stories to the students. Hundreds of children had fun with magician shows in the event, which was supported by New York Consul General Reyhan Özgür.
