Turkish Language Day
In North Macedonia, the 21st of December is observed annually as a public holiday. This day is Turkish Language Day, and it’s a holiday that commemorates the beginning of Turkish language training on this date in 1944. The original language teaching occurred at the primary school Tefejüz in Skopje — the capital and largest city of North Macedonia.
North Macedonia (Optional holiday)It’s a day that also remembers the importance of education in the mother tongue for native speakers. Since this day is a public holiday, it’s a non-working day for many people, and many schools, businesses, and government offices are closed.
The History of Turkish Language Day in North Macedonia
This holiday was created by a proclamation delivered in 2007 by the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. This proclamation made the 21st of December Turkish Language Day on the anniversary of the day that Turkish language education first became available in Skopje in 1944. This day has been celebrated as a public holiday in North Macedonia ever since.
Observing Turkish Language Day in North Macedonia
This holiday is a day off for most people, and a day when businesses, schools, and government offices are closed. It’s a day when many Turkish language events are held among Macedonian Turks. These events include cultural fairs, workshops, and exhibitions.
It’s also a holiday on which the country’s president and other politicians give speeches about the importance of the day. In 2021, the President of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey also paid a visit to North Macedonia to talk with state leadership on this day.
North Macedonia (Optional holiday)
