Marmaris 105th Street Turned into a Festival Area for Children

Salih Yazgan’s Festive Tradition

Marmaris’ 105th Street, the symbol of April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, has once again been transformed into a festive area for children by 70-year-old retired tailor Salih Yazgan before the holiday. Nicknamed as the ‘April 23 Grandfather’ and ‘flag grandfather’ in Marmaris, Salih Yazgan decorated the street and its surroundings with thousands of Turkish flags, Atatürk posters, and April 23-themed banners, turning the area into a sea of red and white.

Before the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, Salih Yazgan, who transformed 105th Street into a pride table for the 11th time, will be accompanied by volunteer artists, Zumba instructor Funda Ertürkmen, dancers, and Turkey’s most famous illusionist Kemal Özveriç. After the official celebrations on April 23, colorful activities and surprises will take place in the street, where children from all over Marmaris will come running.

Inviting Everyone to 105th Street

Retired tailor Salih Yazgan, who turned 105th Street into a festive area days before April 23 with the flags he hung from his neighbors’ houses and raised from his retirement pensions, said, “Celebrating April 23 together, turning this street into a festival area with our children is very valuable to me.” Yazgan highlighted his dedication to April 23 by saying, “You know April 23. For the past 11 years we have been trying to teach our children what can be done here, what will be done. We are continuing here as 23 Nisan Street with them. Our children grew up here, some even call from Aydın, Izmir, Manisa, and even Germany.”

Zumba instructor Funda Ertürkmen expressed her satisfaction with Salih Yazgan’s support and voluntary participation in the event, saying, “All the preparations made here are Salih’s effort and we are just supporting him. I have been coming here for a few years, and I think this is the only event I enthusiastically attend as a volunteer. There is an incredible effort here. I hope to entertain the children with dancing, but I am only part of their entertainment. The real stars are the children.”

Illusionist Kemal Özveriç’s Contribution

Illusionist Kemal Özveriç, who has been volunteering at this event for almost ten years, said, “I have been here for about ten years. Every time, I try my best to entertain the children. This year, I will be in front of them with the same excitement.”

Children’s celebrations at 105th Street, where foreign tourists cannot hide their admiration when they see, and take plenty of souvenir photos, will start at 16.00 on April 23. Band teams consisting of children from Bozburun, Söğüt, and Selimiye villages and members of the Turkish Chopper Marmaris Motorcycle Club will add color to the event.

A child who came to the street for the preparations said, “I thank those who prepared this place for April 23. Everyone should come here on April 23,” expressing his excitement.