In the "Children of Peace Gathered for Peace" program organized by Yunus Emre Institute, which brought together Ukrainian and Syrian children who were victims of war, children invited the world to peace in Turkish, the language of love and peace.

Under the auspices of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski’s wife Olena Zelenska and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s wife Emine Erdoğan, orphaned children who came to Antalya from Ukraine due to the war and gifted children from the Syria safe zone came together for a series of activities called “the Children of Peace Gathered for Peace”.

During the event held in Antalya on November 24, 2022, Teachers' Day, children participated in wall painting, letter, zero-waste conversion, marbling, claywork and sound therapy workshops, danced and had a good time.

UKRAINIAN AND SYRIAN CHILDREN SEND A "TURKISH" PEACE MESSAGE TO THE WORLD

Ukrainian and Syrian children sang songs and read poems containing messages of peace and brotherhood, especially the song “If the Whole World Believed It” in Turkish.

After the singing and poetry performances, Ukrainian and Syrian children gave each other special gifts they had prepared. Later, they ate their meal and had fun together.

The program where two nations came together for peace and kinship featured wall painting, zero-waste conversion, letter writing, marbling, claywork and sound therapy workshops, as well as a piano recital and Turkish, Ukranian and Arabic dance activities.

LETTER FROM CHILDREN, VICTIMS OF WAR TO PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN AND EMİNE ERDOĞAN

At the letter writing workshop, Ukranian and Syrian children wrote letters to be opened on October 29, 2023, the 100^th of the founding of the Republic of Turkey.

A Ukranian and a Syrian child wrote the letters they wrote to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan.

Yunus Emre Institute Vice President Dr. Abdullah Kutalmış Yalçın, Ukranian Consul General to Antalya Emir Rustamov and President of Azaz Local Council Muhammed Hamdan made the protocol speeches at the program where children gave the world messages of peace.

Nearly 500 children brought from orphanages in Ukraine and 30 gifted children brought from the Syria safe zone with the initiative by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife Emine Erdoğan and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy's wife Olena Zelenska, had fun with various activities at the event organized by Yunus Emre Institute in Manavgat.

Yunus Emre Institute Vice President Dr. Abdullah Kutalmış Yalçın expressed their message of peace from Turkey and noted their goal was to promote Turkish language, art and culture to the world.

President of the Azaz Local Council Muhammed Hamdan expressed their gratitude to Turkey and the Turkish people for their great contribution to the establishment of hospitals and schools in the region.

Hamdan stressed that Syrian and Ukranian children suffering the same fate want to finally live in peace.

Mirna Casım from Syria told this was her first time in Turkey, that she loved Antalya very much and said “I saw the blue sea and was so happy.”

Angeline Denissenkov from Ukraine said that she felt at home in Turkey and said, "I am so grateful to Turkey and I am glad that they helped us. We are happy here."

Ukrainian and Syrian children performed songs and poems with messages of peace and kinship in Turkish, while children participated in wall painting, letter writing, zero-waste conversion, marbling, claywork and sound therapy workshops and danced together.

"I UNDERSTOOD WHAT ‘KINSHIP KNOWS NO BOUNDRIES’ MEANT”

Syrian Asinat El Hatab wrote in her letter to President Erdoğan: "I came to Antalya for the first time. Here I saw the sea, very large buildings and playgrounds. I had a time with you and my Ukranian friends that I will never forget. Everyone was so welcoming to us. You helped everyone in need. Today, you brought together the children of two nations suffering from war. I understood the phrase I see everywhere in Syria: ‘Kinship knows no boundaries.’ You taught me that by letting me experience it. You gave us the chance to form kinship bonds not just with Turkish people, but with our Ukranian friends who suffer the same fate as us. I feel like Turkey s my second homeland.”

THE PRODUCTS PREPARED IN THE WORKSHOP WERE PRESENTED TO EMİNE ERDOĞAN AND OLENA ZELENSKA

The products prepared by Ukrainian and Syrian children at the zero-waste conversion workshop were presented to Emine Erdoğan and Olena Zelenska.

Ukrainian and Syrian children enjoyed the program, which also featured face painting, animation games and puppet shows.