'Turkish Language Day' celebrated in North Macedonia
December 21, when the first Turkish education started in Skopje 78 years ago, has been celebrated as the Turkish Language Day in North Macedonia since 1993.
The Turkish Language Day festival, which is of great importance for Turkish unity, is the most enthusiastic day of Macedonian Turks.
Turks make up about four percent of the country's population in North Macedonia.
North Macedonia, a former Ottoman geography, was among the founding countries of ex-Yugoslavia, declared its independence in 1991 and became internationally recognized in 1993.
One of the 6 official languages of North Macedonia, which is among the youngest countries of the Balkans, is Turkish.
It's an official holiday
With an amendment to the 'Holidays Law' on February 15, 2007, minorities living in North Macedonia were granted the right to feast. In this context, the 21st of December, when Turkish education with the Latin alphabet started in Skopje in 1944, was accepted as the national holiday of the Turks living in North Macedonia.
'Turkish Language Day', which will be celebrated for the 15th time this year, is also an official holiday.
Language Day of Macedonian Turks
Concerts, seminars and various events are held every year as part of the celebrations.
Guests from Türkiye are also invited to the events where traditional dances of the Balkans are performed and entertainments are held. Mustafa Şentop, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, also takes part in the Turkish Language Day celebrations this year. A “Buray” concert will be held as part of the events.
TIKA supports
North Macedonian Turkish Civil Society Organizations Union (MATUSITEB) and TIKA, which is the umbrella organization of nearly 60 associations operating in North Macedonia, also support the holiday events where celebrations are held in cities such as Edirne, where Balkan immigrant Turks live in Türkiye.
