The World Refugee Day was celebrated enthusiastically with the participation of the Syrian families in the event organized by International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation. Organization, which was held at Sancaktepe Mustafa Öncel Cultural Center, was supported by Sancaktepe Municipality, in collaboration of IBC Sultanbeyli Community Center and IBC Sancaktepe Infohub Project teams. It was a good opportunity for over 300 Syrian beneficiaries to celebrate the World Refugee Day by having a pleasant day.
The event lasted for a full day with theater and dance performances displayed by the children, songs were sung with the choir, solo concerts and the concert of the Syrian music band called "Mood Band" were performed. The program started with presentation of International Blue Crescent Foundation projects and works and continued with the speeches emphasizing meaning and importance of the day. It was emphasized that the war-torn individuals and all asylum-seekers living in our country are part of this society and that they live together in peace. Then, IBC Sultanbeyli Community Center Children's Club students demonstrated the dance they prepared under training of their teachers. Adolescents supported their refugee rights by voicing their own rap song. Students who prepared the comedy show also succeeded in making the audience smile and happy with their performances. Songs spoken in choirs by children were voiced in Arabic and Turkish languages and became the voices of refugee children. At the same time, they provide hopes for the future as a symbol of social cohesion and harmony.
In the last session, the "Mood Band" group which composed of Syrian artists, had a pleasant moment with the songs they were singing. Common melodies in Arabic and Turkish songs were recalled, the closeness and completeness of the cultures were remembered once again with the universal language of the music. The participants who danced all together with the rhythm experienced the enthusiasm of the day.
In addition, face painting activities for children were carried out by teachers before and during the program. With the theme "World Refugee Day" established in the foyer area, all attendees were given the opportunity to take a souvenir photo from this special day. Foods and drinks were provided for the participants on the tables set up in the event area. Women, children and young people of all ages expressed their happiness by expressing their gratitude on the day. IBC managers and the field teams in the organization also thanked Sancaktepe Municipality for their great contribution and cooperation to the implementation of this organization.
