Spring and summer cultural and traditional activities Let Me Know You: United in Diversity

TURKEY Solemn ceremonies and children’s festivals take place throughout Turkey on National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, held on April 23 each year. Children take seats in the Turkish Parliament and symbolically govern the coMany people in Turkey commemorate the first gathering of the Grand National Assembly (the Turkish Parliament), which took place on April 23, 1920, by attending local ceremonies or laying wreaths at monuments of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The biggest ceremony takes place at the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara.

Because Ataturk reportedly dedicated the Turkish Republic to children, Turkish schoolchildren take seats in the Parliament for the day and symbolically govern the country. They elect a president who then addresses the country on national television. Children’s festivals take place throughout the country. The state-run Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) brings children, aged eight to 14, from different countries around the world to Turkey. These children stay with Turkish families for a week and participate in children’s festivals, which culminate is a gala-performance on April 23.untry for one day.

BULGARIA

ITALY Calendimaggio is celebrated in early May in Assisi, Umbria. The festival is recommended by Manuela of Italian Ceramics who says - It is a spectacular evocation of Medieval and Renaissance costumes and life. The two ancient medieval wards, the "Parte di Sopra" and the "Parte di Sotto", engage in a spectacular challenge which takes the form of theatre shows, concerts, songs and choruses, dances, processions, archery, crossbow and flag-waving displays. The districts compete in a singing contest among the spectacular floral decorations, flags, torches and candles.

ROMANIA Mărțișorul este un mic obiect de podoabă legat de un șnur împletit dintr-un fir alb și unul roșu, care apare în tradiția românilor și a unor populații învecinate. Femeile și fetele primesc mărțișoare și le poartă pe durata lunii martie, ca semn al sosirii primăverii. Împreună cu mărțișorul se oferă adesea și flori timpurii de primăvară, cea mai reprezentativă fiind ghiocelul.

LITHUANIA Klaipėda Sea Festival has been held annually in the city of Klaipėda, Lithuania during the month of July since 1934. In 2009 the city hosted the Tall Ships Race as part of the festival. According to a city website, about 500,000 people have been present at the event. The Klaipéda Sea Festival usually starts at the end of July or beginning of August and lasts for 3 days. The first Klaipéda Sea Festival was organised in 1934. The festival program usually becomes available closer to time, organizers advertise in local newspapers and on www.jurossvente.lt website. Before the festival the High Street is nicely decorated and the opening ceremony starts with the Mayor's speech following various free street concerts and a local market where it is possible to purchase various handmade tools and crafts, locally produced food, and clothing. There is also a carnival, where mythological sea creatures are presented by adults and children dressed up in different costumes. There are also various international sailing events, different sports competitions, fishermen competitions, street theater, exhibitions and children's performances. The performers come from different countries. Every year the program introduces something new, so every festival is different. At the end of the Sea Festival there is always a beautiful free firework show.

SPAIN Moors and Christians FestivalsLa Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos is a celebration of the victory over the Moors in the 13th-century. The festival itself dates back to the 16th century, and includes street parades of dressed-up soldiers and battle re-enactments. It is held in many cities at various times of the year, with some of the largest street parades taking place in Alicante, Alcoy, and Villajoyosa.

POLAND Saint Stanislaus Festival The route leads from Wawel Cathedral to the Church “na Skałce” along the path of the traditional procession, which takes place every year on the first Sunday following 8th May. The day is the date of the canonisation of Kraków’s first saint who died a tragic death as a result of his conflict with the King. Unlike the procession, the route also leads you to the three churches of Kazimierz: St Catherine’s, Hospitaller Order of the Brothers of St John of God, and Corpus Christi Church, the former parish church of the city of Kazimierz.