First organized in 1981 as a response to the assassination of Turkish diplomats by the Armenian terrorist organization ASALA, the Turkish Day Parade has since become a cherished annual tradition for the Turkish-American community.

This year’s celebration once again filled Madison Avenue with vibrant colors, cultural pride, and strong community spirit. The parade began at East 38th Street and continued down Madison Avenue to Madison Square Park, where a lively festival took place.

The event featured a wide range of participants, including Turkish-American associations, cultural organizations, Turkish schools, and folk dance groups. Distinguished guests included representatives of the Turkish mission in the United States, public officials, artists from Türkiye, and civil society organizations.

At Madison Square Park, the celebrations began with the singing of the Turkish National Anthem, followed by a video message from Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, who emphasized Türkiye’s historical heritage, cultural richness, and vision for the future. Turkish Ambassador to Washington Sedat Önal also highlighted the importance of unity and solidarity within the Turkish-American community.

The festival program included a powerful performance by the Ottoman Military Band (Mehteran), concerts by artists such as Burak Kut, Yavuz Bingöl, and Selma Geçer, and a spectacular dance show by Anadolu Ateşi. Folk dance performances added further excitement to the festivities.

In addition to artists, Turkish national athletes, including Olympic and Paralympic medalists, also joined the festival, meeting with members of the Turkish-American community.

The 42nd Annual Turkish Day Parade once again demonstrated the strong bonds of culture, identity, and friendship that unite Turkish-Americans and their supporters from around the world.