Hmm.. Delicious...

 Blind painter at UNT won the Youtube prize.

APRIL 23 INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY

This national day in Turkey is a unique event. The founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, dedicated April 23 to the children of the country to emphasize that they are the future of the new nation. It was on April 23, 1920, during the War of Independence, that the Grand National Assembly met in Ankara and laid down the foundations of a new, independent, secular, and modern republic from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. Following the defeat of the Allied invasion forces on September 9, 1922 and the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne on July 24, 1923, Ataturk started his task of establishing the institutions of the new state. Over the next eight years, Ataturk and his followers adopted sweeping reforms to create a modern Turkey, divorced from her Ottoman past. In unprecedented moves, he dedicated the sovereignty day to the children and entrusted in the hands of the youth the protection of this sovereignty and independence.

Every year, the children in Turkey celebrate this "Sovereignty and Children's Day" as a national holiday. Schools participate in week-long ceremonies marked by performances in all fields in large stadiums watched by the entire nation. Among the activities on this day, the children send their representatives to replace state officials and high ranking bureaucrats in their offices. The President, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Ministers, provincial governors all turn over their positions to children's representatives. These children, in turn, sign executive orders relating to educational and environmental policies. On this day, the children also replace the parliamentarians in the Grand National Assembly and hold a special session to discuss matters concerning children's issues.

Over the last two decades, the Turkish officials have been working hard to internationalize this important day. Their efforts resulted in large number of world states' sending groups of children to Turkey to participate in the above stated festivities. During their stay in Turkey, the foreign children are housed in Turkish homes and find an important opportunity to interact with the Turkish kids and learn about each other's countries and cultures. The foreign children groups also participate in the special session of the Grand National Assembly. This results in a truly international Assembly where children pledge their commitment to international peace and brotherhood.

The importance of April 23 as a special day of children has been recognized by the international community. UNICEF decided to recognize this important day as the International Children's Day

Welcome to the official homepage of Turkish Students Association (TSA) at University of North Texas.

The goals of Turkish Students Association are:

* Promote awareness and appreciation of Turkish culture at UNT.
* Assist new Turkish students to adopt the university environment.
* Organize activities to provide better understanding and representation of Turkey.
* Help and solve the problems of its members and facilitate the social and intellectual interaction.
* Establish relations in academic exchange and cooperation with Turkish educational institutions for future development.

We would like to improve the communication among Turkish students who are studying at UNT and convey the Turkish culture and tradition by organizing interesting events and fairs.

FOLK DANCE MUSIC

This music by anonymous composers has come down from generation to generation ,in folk songs and dances. Turkish folk songs are lyrical and depict feelings and events in life including love, happiness, sorrow and sadness. Variations on any one tune can be found.

Turkish folk music, structurally speaking, falls into two categories:

• "Kirik Havalar":
Are tunes composed of rhythmic and measured melodies. generally known as "Turkuler", and dassed according to the words such as "Kosma", "Varsagi", "Mani", "Destan", "Karsilama","Semai","Divan" kalenderi".

• "Uzun Havalar":
These give the impression of improvised tunes with a series of high to low notes and have no rhythm or measure.
Tunes in the Uzun Havalar group often change their names according to region. Types include Maya, Bozlak Uzunhava, Agit,Hoyrat. Kesik (Kesuk) ,Yanik.

Turkish folk songs have an average range of one-and-a-half octaves. Arrangements differ in every region. The modal structure has six outstanding modes called "ayak". These are "Kerem","Garip", "Bozlak", "Derbeder", "Mustezat' and "Misket" which vary depending on the region.
Rhythms in Turkish folk songs are not given special names as in Turkish Art Music which are two stage, seven stage, nine stage rhythms etc. Terms for Turkish folk music change with the region.