The 'April 23 Children's Festival,' organized within the scope of the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day celebrations, took place on Wednesday, April 22, at the Atatürk Faculty of Education in the Marmara University Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Complex. The festival, held with the participation of children from the preschool age group, created colorful scenes throughout the day and was attended by Maltepe Mayor Esin Köymen, Marmara University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Okur, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Ayşin Satan, Prof. Dr. Yaşar Kabataş, and Prof. Dr. Ümit Süleyman Şehirli, Secretary General Hasan Şahin, as well as academic and administrative staff, student clubs, and invited children.
The Joy of April 23 Was Celebrated on Campus
In his speech, Marmara University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Okur expressed his pleasure in sharing the joy of the holiday with children. Stating that an intensive preparation process was carried out to ensure the children had a happy and meaningful holiday, Rector Okur thanked everyone who contributed to the organization.
Regarding the event, which is intended to become a traditional annual celebration, Rector Prof. Dr. Okur emphasized that such organizations contribute to establishing a strong bond between children and the university. Noting that Marmara University places importance on social and cultural activities for children, Prof. Dr. Okur extended his congratulations to all children on the occasion of the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.
Mayor Esin Köymen: “Children Are the Guarantee of the Future”
Starting her speech by saying, “April 23, gifted to children by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is a great holiday for all children,” Maltepe Mayor Esin Köymen congratulated the children on their holiday and emphasized that they will be the doctors, academics, and guiding individuals of the future society. Drawing attention to the importance of children dreaming, having fun, and developing themselves, Mayor Köymen stated that as the local government, they place great importance on projects for children. Thanking Marmara University and the academics who contributed to the organization, Esin Köymen celebrated the holiday of all children.
An Open Campus for Children, A Joyful Celebration
Expressing his pleasure in hosting children at their faculty, Dean of the Atatürk Faculty of Education, Prof. Dr. Yusuf Alpaydın, emphasized that today is a special day dedicated to children. He encouraged the participating children to freely explore the campus, enjoy themselves, and become closely acquainted with the university environment. Stating that their doors are always open to children as a university and faculty, Dean Alpaydın welcomed all the children and celebrated their holiday.
The festival, organized with the contributions of student clubs from the Department of Preschool Education at the Atatürk Faculty of Education, was carried out with a rich program of activities designed for children. In the festival program, attended by students from five different schools, children participated in dance activities following an animation screening. They also experienced culinary arts, handicrafts, and creative design activities at various stations. Taking part in activities such as cookie decorating, T-shirt painting, kite making, bracelet design, poster preparation, traditional games, face painting, and balloon art, children not only had fun but were also actively involved in production processes. At the end of the day, they shared the excitement of the festival with an enthusiastic closing program accompanied by children’s songs. Additionally, Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Okur visited the stands and took photos with the children.
The Renovated Studio at the Atatürk Faculty of Education Opened for Student Use
Rector of Marmara University, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Okur, continued to attend programs within the university following the Children’s Festival.
Rector Okur inaugurated the recording studio established within the Department of Music Education at the Atatürk Faculty of Education through the initiatives of Prof. Dr. İsmet Arıcı. The studio, which previously had insufficient physical facilities, was made suitable for student use through recent renovations. Rector Okur presented a plaque to Sabri Arıcı, thanking him for his contributions to the establishment of the studio.
