Gokhan Caracas – The first and only holiday dedicated to the children of the world, April 23, National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, has been celebrated without interruption for 93 years. “Our Elderly Father” is the historian-writer K. Mehmet Tech’s latest book, which investigates Mustafa Kemal Atatুrk’s relationship with children and the hitherto unknown, provides information on organizing a special holiday celebration for his beloved children after he gifted the Turkish nation the Republic, which he called his greatest work. By In the book, in addition to medals and certificates from the Himaye-e Atfal Society, which Atatুrk activated to protect orphaned children during the War of Independence, 11 spiritual children, 10-year-old American Curtis’ letter to Atatুrk and ‘little lady, little gentleman’ ‘Listed with historical documents and behind-the-scenes information.
Thanks Medal
The great leader Atatুrk wanted April 23, the opening date of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, to be celebrated as Children’s Day, an important step towards the establishment of an independent republic. Since 1929, every April 23 has been celebrated as National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, and it has gone down in history as the only holiday in the world dedicated to children. April 23 symbolizes Atatুrk’s vision and understanding of children. The book titled ‘Our Veteran Father’, where K. Mehmet describes Atatর্rk’s understanding of children with historical documents, revealing details that were not yet known. K. Mehmet Teke, author of four more books in which he describes Atatুrk’s attitude towards children and youth, says that April 23 was a gift for the orphans of the Turkish nation, which went through 4 wars in a row. In 1929, it was decided that the president of the Himaye-e-Itfal Society, Fuat Mehmet Bay, would announce that April 23 would become a traditional Children’s Day and that medals and certificates awarded to Atatুrk would be shared with the public. . It is learned that on May 30, 1929, Mostafa Kemal Atatুrk was placed under the command of Anitkabir by the medals and certificates presented by the society for their material and moral support, which took important responsibility for the reunification of orphaned children growing up with the republic. .
Letter from Curtis
Atatর্কrk said, “How beautiful childhood is. Children are beautiful and sweet animals, aren’t they? Do you know what I like most? In the book, which reminds us that “they do not know hypocrisy and express all their desires and feelings as they feel,” it is also emphasized that Atatুrk’s words were spoken to “Little Ladies, Little Gentlemen” children who greeted him. Reported. October 16, 1922 in Bursa.
One of the most interesting details of the book is the letter sent from the United States just a day before the proclamation of the Republic. Curtis La France, a 10-year-old boy living in New York City, told Atatর্কrk, “I started keeping a notebook about Turkey and I already have a lot of articles and pictures with you and your wife Mrs. Kamal. . Reply to this American boy with a signed picture of you. It is learned that the Ottoman Turkish and English copies of the letter “I hope to go to Turkey one day” are kept in the 2nd Parliament building. Atatর্কrk, who sent his autographed photo, said, “Dear Sir. I thank you for your relevance and concern about the Turkish nation. “Although his answer is explained in the book, it is also emphasized that Curtis La France was invited to Turkey 75 years after the letter when he was 85 years old and his wish was fulfilled.
That child made Atatর্কrk cry
It is also narrated that Atatর্কrk, who was rarely known to weep and did not like to be seen weeping, wept when he heard a speech by an orphan boy on October 16, 1925, on the train to Usak. Atatর্কrk said: “The words of the child caused a great deal of excitement in my soul, and I cannot explain it. My tears are a clear expression of my feelings. I am a person who cries very little in life. The book, which also includes the words “he was here, Usaka”, the shepherd boy Sığırtmaç Mustafa, an immigrant from Bulgaria, came to Yalova, broke a gift vase sent from China, and asked if the names were given to Turkish elders such as Mete and Teoman Nabajat. It will be 6 Interesting in the book is the dream of 6-year-old Altan, Nuri (Ulsu), who sends him to Samsung, to become a librarian when he grows up. . Also, 11 children, such as Ihsan, Omer, Abdurrahim, Ulku, Sabiha and Zehra, whom Atatুrk protected or adopted, are presented as evidence of the great leader’s love for children.