Turkish, Chinese kindergartners mark Turkey's Children's Day in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish and Chinese kindergartners on Monday marked Turkey's National Sovereignty and Children's Day together in Istanbul.

The celebrations started with a parade of 570 children in colorful costumes on the Istiklal Avenue in the district of Beyoglu. The children, including 20 Chinese kindergartners from Chengdu in southwestern China invited as special guests, marched to the neighboring Taksim Square.

Ahmet Misbah Demircan, chief of the Beyoglu, accompanied the children in the parade.

The kids staged several dances and performances reflecting local cultures of Turkey and China as well as several popular children shows, and the performances by Chengdu Children Dance Group attracted the interest of their Turkish peers and families.

"This year Chinese children joined us, and we are very happy to see them here," said Iskender Calayir, a Turkish kid participating in the show.

Calayir found his Chinese mates "very friendly and warm" and they got on well with each other, while another Turkish kid named Ege Cam said they were having so much fun together.

Demircan noted that hosting foreign guests at home for the Children's Day celebrations is a deep-rooted tradition in Turkey.

"This year we have our Chinese guests with us and we are saying to them 'you are very welcome,'" he said.

On April 23, 1920, the Turkish parliament was founded and the day was dedicated to children seen as the nation's future by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. Enditem