The National Sovereignty and Children’s Day was celebrated in Yaounde on April 23, 2016.

It was a great moment of merry-making, singing and dancing to Turkish music in the Turcam Hall at Mvan, Yaounde, on Saturday, April 23, 2016. The occasion was the celebration of this year’s Turkish National Day or the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, organised by the Embassy. The Turkish community, especially the women, worked so hard to prepare dishes for the event.

Talking to Cameroon Tribune at the end of the celebration, Ambassador Murat Ulku, recalled that on April 23, 1920, the Turkish Parliament was established, which later conducted the war of independence. The Founding Father of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, dedicated the day to children of the world and ever since, it is celebrated as National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.

His Excellency Murat Ulku described children as guarantors of the future. “Children are so innocent that they are like blank pages. Anything written on such pages determines the future of the world,” he noted. He said the idea was about bringing children together to enjoy themselves and show love for each other in spite of their different backgrounds. “Our desire is to make this day a tradition in Yaounde whereby other children are invited to join their Turkish counterparts in the celebration,” he announced.

About 150 children participated in the event, including 60 orphans. It was the first time the day was being celebrated in Yaounde on a large scale, with children from other nationalities invited. At the end, every child returned home with a parcel. According to Ambassador Ulku, “Relations with Cameroon are good. The celebration offered the opportunity to renew such ties with two cabinet ministers present.” Government was represented at the event by the Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Irène Nguene and her counterpart of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoua.

Back home in Turkey, the Ankalia Expo 2016 was also inaugurated on April 23, 2016, concluding with a gala evening. The National Sovereignty and Children’s Day is celebrated in Turkey by inviting children from other nations to come and live with Turkish families for some time. Prior to the celebration, invitations were sent out and a rehearsal held at the residence of the Ambassador. The event was sponsored by Turkish businesses in Cameroon; with many indicating their interest to participate next year.