Following is the message President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued on the occasion of April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children’s Day:
“I celebrate with my sincerest feelings the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey as well as the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day of all the children in Turkey and across the world.
April 23, 1920, when the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was inaugurated, is the date when we, in line with the principle, ‘The sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation,’ proclaimed our independence and the sovereignty of the national will to the entire world.
Our Grand National Assembly, inaugurated at a critical time when our homeland was under occupation and our nation’s independence and future were being targeted, paved the way for our fight for the future and independence. The fire which our National Assembly lit in the hearts during our National Struggle enlightened the road in front of our august nation during the darkest days and gave strength, courage and morale to our people.
Our gallant army, with the strength it drew from our august nation that made it a principle to overcome every hardship in unity and solidarity, put up great struggles for the homeland and achieved victories that went down in history.
Our august nation, which united around a common goal under the roof of our National Assembly, took the most important step on the path leading to the Great Victory and the proclamation of our Republic.
The Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which has also been the embodiment of the national will against putsches, juntas and attempts of tutelage as well as against terrorist attacks so far, received the title of ghazi once again after having been bombed by FETO-member terrorists during the July 15 coup attempt.
The Grand National Assembly of Turkey, one of the most important symbols of our glorious history extending from past to future, will forever continue to embody the national will, national sovereignty, democracy and our independence, as has been the case for a hundred years.
Our National Assembly, which has pioneered since its foundation all the steps taken for the growth and development of our country, maintains its works to usher in a brighter future for all of our citizens, particularly for our children and youth.
The fact that Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk gifted April 23, a milestone in our history, to children as a festival, symbolizes our nation’s confidence in children. Turkey will rise on the shoulders of our children and youth, and will achieve its goals for 2023 and 2071 thanks to their dynamism and enthusiasm.
The spirit of April 23, 1920 as well as our commitment to our independence and our confidence in our unity and solidarity are the biggest legacies that we will entrust to future generations.
On this occasion, I, on my nation’s behalf, offer my gratitude to all the deputies who have served our country under the roof of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey since its foundation.
I remember Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk -- the Commander-in-Chief of our Independence War, the first Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and the founder of our Republic -- as well as all our martyrs and ghazis with respect and gratitude.
I, with all my heart, congratulate all our children and all the children of the world on this unique festival.”