The April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day celebrations in Samsun began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Atatürk Monument in Cumhuriyet Square, attended by Samsun Provincial Director of National Education Murat Ağar and other protocol members. The ceremonies then continued at Mustafa Dağıstanlı Sports Hall.
Following a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem, Provincial Director of National Education Murat Ağar delivered a speech. Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) was represented at the program by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz on behalf of Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın.
The choir of Atakum Atatürk Secondary School, accompanied by the Maarif Orchestra of the Provincial Directorate of National Education, performed a selection of songs. The folk dance troupe of Atakum Special Education Practice School also took the stage.
Students from Atakum Halide Edip Adıvar Kindergarten, Nene Hatun Kindergarten, and Kurupelit Kindergarten gave lively performances, while students from Bayındır Primary School and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Secondary School showcased traditional folk dances.
The ceremony, which included the recitation of marches and poems, was attended by Samsun Governor Orhan Tavlı, MHP Deputy Chairman for the Turkic World and International Relations and Samsun MP İlyas Topsakal, Garrison Commander Major General Davut Ala, Metropolitan Mayor Halit Doğan, Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kılıç, Coast Guard Black Sea Regional Commander Rear Admiral Ahmet Bahadır, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Brigadier General Mustafa Bakçepınar, Provincial Police Chief Ahmet Arıbaş, institutional directors, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and citizens.
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