Turkey celebrates National Sovereignty and Children's Day

The Turkish nation marked National Sovereignty and Children's Day yesterday with celebrations held throughout Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC). There were colorful ceremonies at every school and at stadiums in all of the provinces across the country to mark the day. Ceremonies were also held at foreign representative offices. President Abdullah Gul received 335 students  from seven regions at the Cankaya presidential palace in Ankara. "You brought joy to the  presidential palace," Gul said to the children visiting Cankaya. Every year on this date, children from all over the world are invited to Turkey to join the festivities in a hope that such celebrations will contribute to a future of enhanced brotherhood and peace among different nations. The president, prime minister, cabinet ministers and provincial governors all symbolically turn over their positions to children. This year a primary school student, Oykü Onder, took over the seat from President Gul.