SCORES of children from five nations will descend on Didim next week to help mark Children’s Day in Turkey.
The local DAHOT Didim Folk Dance Society has organized a schedule of events between April 21-25 to coincide with the celebrations around April 23.
The 23rd April Children’s Festival is a children’s festival dedicated to children by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey.
The festival, celebrated internationally since 1979, was first inaugurated in Turkey on 23 April 1920, when the Turkish Grand National Assembly was opened. The festival intends to contribute to the creation of a world where children can live peacefully by developing sentiments of love and friendship.
A total of 180 children, along with 255 people from five countries, will be visiting the town and staying at the Didim Beach Hotel.
A DAHOT spokesman said: “Our goal as DAHOT is to celebrate April 23 by festival bringing together the children of the different countries and promote cohesion and unity through the many traditions and custom. We hope that lasting friendships and togetherness will be created.”
The organization said this was the first April 23 International Folk Dance festival for Didim and urged local people and tradesmen to fully support the festival.
The programme will culminate largely on April 23 with a major dance festival at the Town Square, on Ataturk Boulevard from 7.30m onwards.
The full prgramme is:
Tuesday April 21:
Guests and children are greeted at Didim Chamber of Commerce Cultural Center.
9pm: Didim Beach Hotel hosts a cocktail event for the administrators, teachers and adults.
Wednesday April 22:
2pm-5pm: A meet and greet event for delegates of the folk dance groups
8pm: Folk dance programme at Akbuk port.
Thursday April 23:
A wreath laying ceremony attended by all groups at the Town Square.
After the ceremony, guests will attend an April 23 event at one of the schools in the district.
7.30pm: At the Town Square, children will take part in a folk dance festival gala programme.
Friday April 24:
The groups will enjoy a picnic at Orman Kamp
Saturday April 25:
11am: Farewell ceremony for all groups at the Town Square.