Historical Day in Moscow, Russians Compete in the Turkish Language
The Russian Federation's third Turkish Language Olympiads have been held, with the sponsorship of the Turkish Embassy in Russia's Educational Advisor's Office.
Some 205 competitors, chosen from among thousands of Russian students learning Turkish in different regions of Russia, competed in the two-day Olympiads, held to encourage education of Turkish and contribute in promoting Turkey. Those students who proved to be successful in the competitions were awarded with a holiday in Turkey, along with medals and various gifts. There were 10 institutions which participated in the first Olympiad in 2005, and the competition was joined by 15 last year, and by 23 institutions this year.
The Turkish Olympiad was supported by several institutions, including the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Oriental Studies, International Tolerance Foundation, Moscow State University Institute of Asian and African Studies, Russian State Humanitarian University, Russian State Library Eastern Literature Center and Russian Library of Foreign Languages. Three Russian competitors, who held the first three places in the category of article-writing from amongst 11 finalists, gave suggestions for the development of the Russian-Turkish relationships.
Destroy stereotypes and reinforce the bridges of culture instead, the students said and emphasized that the whole of humanity has the same language of culture, contributing largely to closer relationships. Elmira Agayova of Moscow State University, who won first place, stressed that both Russia and Turkey are bridges between East and West and have similar cultural characteristics.
Russian Federation Turkish Olympiad Jury President Dimitri Vasiliev, also a professor of Turcology, pointed out that Russian-Turkish relationships have had long periods of friendship and peace, and said: "We are trying to initiate the best period of our friendship. We are trying to teach Turkish history, culture and literature during these courses."
Noting that the Russian youth currently have a great interest in Turkish, Vasiliev said: "A lot of students want to study in the Turkish department. We cannot admit all of them so we hold an examination for this." Vasiliev expressed his hope that Turkey and Russia could live together in a peaceful way, and said, "We can see that the next generation, our daughters, sons and grandsons, will have a good and peaceful relationship." (Faruk Akkan Moscow)
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