Erdogan Greets Turkish Language Olympiads in Parliament
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday welcomed to Parliament 550 children from 100 countries, in Turkey to attend the fifth International Turkish Language Olympics.
The premier spoke to many of his young and talented visitors and posed for photos with them. The children were greeted outside Parliament by Education Minister Hüseyin Çelik and Chairman of the Olympics Committee and former Education Minister Mehmet Saglam. The children were dressed in the national costumes of their countries and presented a colorful tableau outside Parliament's imposing façade. During the reception a group of children from Turkmenistan presented Erdogan with a specially woven carpet, while the Kyrgyz team gave him a painting depicting the legend of Manas, a caftan and a fur cap.In good spirits, the premier donned the outfit and had his photograph taken.
Two international languages -- Turkish and football -- combined when Lucas Chang Lengu, a visitor from Brazil sporting a Fenerbahçe jersey with his name written on the back, shouted, "Dear prime minister, Fenerbahçe is champion!" while their photographs were being taken. Erdogan responded: "Yes, champion! You know that my favorite team is also Fenerbahçe, don't you?" Lengu then came up to Erdogan, who asked him in Turkish, "Did you come from Brazil?" He replied, "Evet," (yes). Erdogan also posed with an umbrella brought by the Japanese children.
Making a brief statement to the press, Erdogan congratulated the committee that put together the event. He stressed that the Turkish Olympiads would help spread the Turkish language to the world. "There are poetry readers among them, there are poets; there are promising writers among them who may become important figures in the world of literature. They sing songs. I congratulate everyone who worked hard for this event. We will happily and proudly host them every year," Erdogan noted and added that he also saw future scientists among the young group. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül was also present at the reception. He arrived after Erdogan and chatted with many of the children. The young visitor also watched the changing of the guard with interest, many capturing the moment with their cameras and camcorders.
Arinç meets students attending Turkish Olympics
Speaker of Parliament Bülent Arinç on Monday greeted students who are participating in the Fifth International Turkish Olympics. Noting his close interest in the Olympics, Arinç said he had watched the semifinals on TV and found all participants to be particularly successful, adding that he was happy they could speak Turkish so well. "Turkish is a very harmonious and musical language. There are many beautiful words, and you have learned them in a very short period of time, to be able to read poems," he said. He noted his amazement at their proficiency, "You have become people who speak Turkish well." Arinç also underscored that Turkish education enterprises around the world will serve as a bridge of friendship between Turkey and a multitude of countries. He spoke about parliamentary work for the preservation and improvement of the Turkish language. He said he would attend the finals, which are to be held on June 2 in Istanbul, to present Special Encouragement Prizes from Parliament to the winners. (Ali Aslan Kiliç Ankara)
- Created on .