Ankara, 23 April 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara participated in Türkiye’s celebration of its annual 23 April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day held on 22 April 2024 at the Doğan Tașdelen Contemporary Arts Center, Çankaya, Ankara. The Embassy was one of the five (5) foreign missions invited on the opening day of celebrations to prepare activities for the students of Berkin Elvan Gündüz Bakımevi to learn about the culture of different countries.

Photo: Turkish kindergarten students perform at the opening ceremony (Embassy photo)

Organized by the Çankaya Municipality, the opening ceremony was graced by the newly-elected Mayor of Çankaya, Hon. Hüseyin Can Güner. Also present was newly-elected Mayor of Mamak Municipality, Hon. Veli Gündüz Şahin. Kindergarten students in Çankaya age 5-6 years old performed in the event, which was attended by the Municipality officials, foreign Embassies’ representatives, and other visitors.

Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. (center) joins Çankaya Mayor Hüseyin Can Güner (second from left), Mamak Mayor Veli Gündüz Şahin (first from left) and fellow Ambassadors in Türkiye at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day celebration. (Embassy photo)

The Embassy, led by Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr., and joined by his spouse, Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto, organized activities for the children for them to gain knowledge about the Philippines, including a coloring activity about Philippine cultural icons and symbols.

Photo: Kindergarten students of Berkin Elvan Gündüz Bakımevi doing the coloring activity about the Philippines. (Embassy photo)

The children listened to Ambassador Bensurto as he read a popular Philippine folk tale entitled, “The Monkey and the Turtle,” written by Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine National Hero. The Embassy organized this story-telling activity in commemoration of the Philippines’ National Literature Month.

Photo: Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. (center) reads the story of “The Monkey and the Turtle,” a popular Philippine folk tale written by Dr. Jose P. Rizal, to the kindergarten students of Berkin Elvan Gündüz Bakımevi. (Embassy photo)

Photo: The kindergarten students of Berkin Elvan Gündüz Bakımevi and their parents enjoy the Filipino rice cakes – puto, kutchinta, biko, and ube macapuno ice cream after the activities at the April-23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day. (Embassy photo)

The activity concluded with a simple salu-salo with the children and their parents of Filipino famous rice cakes - puto, kutchinta and biko, and ube (purple yam) macapuno (coconut sport) ice cream, to celebrate the Philippines’ National Food Month with the Turkish people.

Photo: Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr. (center) and Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto (fourth from left) with the kindergarten students of Berkin Elvan Gündüz Bakımevi and their parents (Embassy photo)

This year, April 23rd is the 104th anniversary of the foundation of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. It is considered as one of the most important holidays in Türkiye and dedicated to the children of the world by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. Turkiye is the first country to celebrate official Children’s Day. END.