Apple Celebrates Turkish Children's Day With Self-Portraits Created Using iPad and Apple Pencil

Today is National Sovereignty and Children's Day in Turkey, an annual public holiday that takes place on April 23 in the country. As it has in years past, Apple is celebrating the holiday by sharing art that children have created using its products.

Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted a self-portrait created by 13-year-old Özgün Asya, who made the image on an iPad with Apple Pencil.

childrens day turkey tim cook tweet

Over the past week, Apple's Turkish YouTube channel has been sharing a few videos also highlighting Children's Day, in a series called "My Portrait." The first video posted focused on Asya's self-portrait, and in it she explains that she drew herself with her favorite flower, the cherry blossom.


Following the first video, Apple published six more short, 15-second clips where kids from Turkey explained the art that they created using iPad. Ali G. explained that he drew seven-and-a-half versions of himself due to his own age, Ece S. described her nature-focused portrait, and Defne A. showed off an image of her and her dog.

In the most recent video, shared over the weekend, Apple combined all of the self portrait videos into one 30-second ad.

The power of the iPad, the ease of use of Apple Pencil, and the unlimited creativity of children came together, and these extraordinary self-portraits came out.

Apple's Children's Day videos showcase the latest 9.7-inch iPad, which was announced at an education-focused event in late March. The sixth-generation device includes Apple Pencil support with sensors that measure pressure and tilt so that users can take notes or illustrate in supported apps. The tablet has a reduced education price and multiple accessories that are particularly aimed at kids in school.

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Top Rated Comments

dreadlord Avatar
97 months ago
This is our national holiday to celebrate democracy declared in 1923 and it is gifted to all children around the world by the founder of the Turkish Republic, Ataturk (which means The Father of the Turks).

Happy Children's Day to all children around the world!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thadoggfather Avatar
97 months ago
Great new product announcement... oh never mind just more virtue signaling from the fish that is apple with a rotting head that is Tim Cook

Nothing to see
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghost187 Avatar
97 months ago
First off it’s really nice to have a children’s day.

Second, I hope the cheaper iPad gets the keyboard connector next year, which would make it the perfect device for schools.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
normang Avatar
97 months ago
I'd rather have new Mac's, Face ID iPad's than having Apple spend time and money announcing something as odd as this....
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sevendaymelee Avatar
97 months ago
Turkish Children's Day? Now we're just getting ridiculous.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iHack13 Avatar
97 months ago
Happy Children's day!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)