Youth and Sports Day in Turkey
Description:
Since all establishments and businesses are closed on weekends, all employees have the opportunity to visit their relatives in other cities, which they do with great pleasure. So the political holiday turns into the day of family and friends.
Interestingly, the significant date was not originally associated with either youth or sports. On May 19, 1919, the first President of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in the Black Sea port of Samsun, announced a mobilization against foreign intervention. At that time, Turkey was at war with Greece. The basis of the national movement for independence were young people. Thus, the future of the nascent republic was placed in the hands of the youth, which Ataturk intended to make the most important element of the new state.
On the eve of Genclik Bayrami, the streets and houses are decorated with flags and portraits of Kemal Atatürk. In large cities, gardeners break flower beds where you can see symbolic paintings of flowers. Youth Parks are preparing to receive many visitors.
In Istanbul, the holiday begins with official ceremonies, including the mandatory laying of wreaths at the monument of the Republic, a colorful parade and a number of sports competitions. In the evening, a concert is held on Taksim Square and in the central park, where Turkish pop stars and invited foreign performers perform. In the city of Samsun, many spectators gather a traditional aviation show.
Many educational institutions prepare their festive program, which includes amateur performance reviews, relays, competitions (cooking and design skills), as well as hold conferences and seminars dedicated to topical issues and problems in the youth environment.
In recent years, the Government of the Republic of Turkey has positioned Youth and Sports Day as an international holiday and invites students from other countries to participate in the celebrations.