ATASC Second Annual April 23 Children’s Day Festival and Celebrations were yesterday at El Dorado Park, Long Beach.
The celebration was a magical day for nearly 400 adults and 100 children as they gathered in Long Beach for the Annual April 23 Children’s Day Festival (23 Nisan Milli Egemenlik ve Cocuk Bayrami). ATASC and all 5 chapters had prepared entertainment for children and adults from jumphouse, magician, games to competitions. The event formally opened with Turkish National Anthem sang by Hafize Turgut – ATASC President Elect and American National Anthem by Sinem Saniye – a very talented Turkish singer. Vice Consul Arif Celik welcomed the crowd and talked about the importance of this day in our history. ATASC President Vega Sankur introduced talked about ATASC events as well as ATASC charitable work to help out charities here and in Turkey. A few examples: ATASC Izmit School, Cagdas Yasami Destekleme Dernegi, numerous elementary schools in Turkey, blind children’s schools here and in Turkey. (Please page down for a very touching article on the lessons of the day by Mahmut Ekenel in Turkish).
The high point came when the students of OCTAA, LATAA and ATASC-SD schools sang and danced for us. We had a sampling of talents they will showcase in much more detail next weekend. The “10 uncu Yil Marsi” by OCTAA and “Katibim” dance by ATASC-SD had the crowd on their feet.
We thank the picnic committee: Burcu Tansu, Birten Ozalpasan, Maaret Toprakci, Maria Cakiraga and Tolga Yaprak and the numerous volunteers who worked tirelessly all day to make this a wonderful day for our children.
DARISI GELECEK SENEYE- SEE YOU NEXT YEAR IN BIGGER AND BETTER EVENT
The celebrations are continuing. Next weekend OCTAA and ATASC-SD Schools will have their extended school celebrations. Please for times and locations check their websites or watch for their e-mails. Please join us for our children to show their connection to Turkish Culture.
