Let's celebrate International Children and Youth Day together!

Turkish Society of Canada in coordination with Turkish Community Heritage Centre of Canada is organizing one of our most celebrated events “International Children and Youth Day Festival”, on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Nathan Phillips Square with the expected participation of over 1000 guests, Members of Parliament, City Counselors and Trustees.

Children representing the cultural mosaic of Toronto will come together and celebrate the day with shows, folk dances and share their folk music. Fun-fair activities such as clowns, face painting, popcorn and cotton candy stations, magic show and balloon sculpting will also take place where children have the opportunity to interact with each other, enjoy the day and make friends all while being integrated to the highly cultural diversity found in Canada.

We would like to extend a special “thank-you” to the City of Toronto for their support in organizing this important event.

Please check our events page for further details.

Event history

Following a war of independence, Turkey’s Grand National Assembly was established on April 23, 1920. To honor this date, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, dedicated April 23rd to the nation’s children. Thereafter, April 23rd became a traditional International Children’s Day celebration and is recognized by UNICEF. April 23rd is currently an international children’s day celebration in Turkey, shared with children from different parts of the world with diverse languages and cultures.

This special day “International Children’s Day” marks the hope for enhanced brotherhood, friendship and peace among the various cultures found in Toronto. It also provides an opportunity for Turkish Community to do its part in helping to create a world where our children can live peacefully by developing sentiments of fraternity, love and friendship.