Kalkan's celebrations for National Sovereignty & Children's Day, (known in Turkey as Çocuk Bayram), on  Friday 23rd April, have now been published.

This day commemorates the first meeting of the Turkish parliament in 1920, where Atatürk dedicated the day to the children of Turkey.

We provide details below of what is happening.  Please note, the format is different from last year.  If you are in Kalkan at the moment, why not go along.  It's well worth it.

Starting on Thursday afternoon, the day before, local people are encouraged to display the national flag, and pictures of Atatürk, as a visible way of celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Turkish parliament.

On Friday morning, at 9am, there will be a brief ceremony by the Atatürk statue in town.  Some schoolchildren will march down to the statue, and a number of VIPs and business people will be in attendance.

Following this ceremony, at around 9.30am, there will be a full schedule of entertainment at the site of Kalkan's Thursday market.  Please note - not at the school, as has been the case in previous years.

Participating this year will be Kalkan First School (Kalkan Ilköğretim Okulu), Akbel School (Durmuş - Gülser Gedikoğlu Ilköğretim Okulu), and Kalkan Infants School (Süleyman Yılmaz Anaokulu).

What can you expect to see?  Well, you will certainly be able to see and hear the school marching band.  There will also be music, singing, dancing, poetry and speeches, plus a very energetic gymnastic/step display.  Many of the children will be in colourful costumes.

The entertainment tends to be a mix of modern and traditional, so there is bound to be something for everybody.  And the children are so enthusiastic.

This morning (Wednesday), we could hear the children practicing their routines in the market.  Good news if you are a fan of The Birdie Song - that is part of the planned entertainment!

Friday is a public holiday, and if last year is anything to go by there will be a very large crowd, cheering on the children.  So, get there early to get a good spot.

Finally, just a reminder that on Friday, all public offices will be closed, as will the banks.