April 23 excitement united İzmir as one

The Traditional Kite Festival organized by Bornova Municipality brought together thousands of children and families on April 23, carrying the joy of the holiday into the sky. At the highly attended event, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, who shared in the children’s excitement, emphasized democracy and national sovereignty, while Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki highlighted their goal of leaving a better future for children. With all-day activities and meaningful moments, the celebrations turned into a grand festival.

The Traditional Kite Festival organized by Bornova Municipality once again brought together thousands of children and families on April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day. Held at Aşık Veysel Recreation Area, the event saw citizens from all over İzmir filling the sky with colorful kites.

Hosted by Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, the festival was also attended by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay. The event included both joyful and emotional moments; black balloons were released into the sky in memory of the teachers and children who lost their lives in the school attack in Kahramanmaraş. The two mayors singing the İzmir March together with the Bornova Municipality Children’s Choir brought the excitement in the area to its peak.

Cemil Tugay: “Don’t let anything confuse your mind”
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay emphasized the meaning of holidays and democracy in his speech:
“Holidays are very valuable; they are gifts given to our nation. We must appreciate and understand their meaning. I was here last year and witnessed this beautiful crowd. Sharing the same excitement again today makes me very happy. Bornova is one of İzmir’s most valuable districts, and this area is one of the city’s most special meeting points. Don’t let anything confuse your mind. Let us once again remember that everyone must unconditionally stand up for democracy, the sovereignty of the people, and your right to sovereignty. National sovereignty, the republic, independence, being a modern state, and the rule of law are as essential as the air we breathe. Otherwise, we cannot leave a good country to these beautiful children.”

“The only owner of this country is its people”
Continuing his speech, Mayor Tugay emphasized equality and justice:
“Every individual deserves respect regardless of their belief, ethnicity, political view, or perspective. Democracy means that everyone has the right to speak and must be treated equally. No one can divide the children of this country into rich and poor. No one has the right to say that the wealthy should receive the best services while the poor struggle. The only owner of this country is its people. Each of you is a part of that ownership and responsibility.”

Ömer Eşki: “We are here to leave a better world for children”
Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki highlighted the historical significance of April 23 and its dedication to children:
“Today, we celebrate the anniversary of a very important decision taken during the most difficult days of Anatolia, when the nation claimed its sovereignty. There is no other holiday in the world dedicated to children. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk gifted this unique day to children. Today, we are here both to celebrate our national sovereignty and to give our children the best possible holiday experience. We wanted to offer them their favorite games, their favorite toys, and most importantly, the sky. We are fortunate to celebrate this day freely under our flag. Our wish is that children are never associated with pain or violence and that every day of their lives is as joyful as today.”

“We wanted to reflect children’s beauty into the sky”
Mayor Eşki concluded his speech with these words:
“There is no other nation that has gifted a holiday to children. Our greatest leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, gave our most precious beings—our children—a day as beautiful as they are. We are fortunate to live in İzmir, to live freely under our flag and national sovereignty. We wanted to dedicate this day to our children and reflect their beauty into the sky.”

A full day of celebrations turned into a festival
Throughout the day, the festival offered unforgettable moments for children. The program began with a concert by the Bornova Municipality Children’s Choir, followed by folk dance performances, puppet shows, and magic shows. Workshops, competitions, and stage performances continued all day, allowing children to both have fun and learn. The bubble show and interactive activities brought the holiday excitement to its peak.