Turkey Proud of Turkish Language Olympiad

The final night of the International Turkish Language Olympiad ended on a high note, especially for Turkey, the host country.

Students from 84 countries around the world, from Tanzania to the US, from Japan to Laos, struggled to take the top place.

The ceremony at the Istanbul Performance and Congress Center was enjoyed by thousands of spectators.

A total of 355 students, representing different ethnicities and languages, read the Turkish National Anthem, resulting in a large round of applause from the audience.

A great number of ministers, party leaders, deputies, mayors and citizens showed a huge interest in the event, where the Olympiad torch was lit by the Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc.

Some of the people could not enter the 5,000-person exhibition center, due to the crowd.

The foreign students sang the Olympiad Song together with the famous Turkish singer Sertab Erener.

The audience in the hall also accompanied the students while they were singing Turkish songs.

Some people from the audience could not hold their tears during some parts of the song.

Njomeza Krasniqi, from Bosnia-Herzegovina, won a medal for composition writing while Alina Prichodouskaya, from Belarus, won a medal for drawing.

Making the inauguration speech for the ceremony, Arinc said that a special award would be given to those students who ranked among the best three as of next year by the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

"This is a legend. Everybody should see this. I want to offer my gratitude to the people who helped spread these beautiful schools all around the world, from Mozambique to Chile.

Millions of people are watching us in tears; however, there is someone among them watching us before his TV. I am indebted to that beautiful person for my nation's sake."

The finale of the 4th International Turkish Language Olympiad, which took place between June 10 and 17, was held at the Istanbul Exhibition and Congress Center.

At the event, 355 students representing various countries around the world communicated messages of "peace, love and brotherhood."

Famous singer Sertap Erener sang the Olympiad Song at the awards night. The students received a round of applause as they took the stage.

Chair of the Organizing Committee, Professor Dr. Mehmet Saglam, said that their aim was to spread the love of the Turkish language.

"We aim to have every country in the world participate at the 10th Olympiad," said Saglam, extending a warm welcome to the foreign students.

While visual presentations in the contests attracted interest, awards were given to students in the areas of short story writing, painting, composition and country presentations.

The students who advanced to the finals in poetry and music performed their works before the jury.

The jury and audience could not help but weep when two-year old Sura Bal recited the ten stanzas of Turkish National Anthem by heart and the students read poems.

"Everybody should see this event; it sets a fine example for all people. Doubtlessly, students from every country will be here at the 10th Olympics," said President of the Assembly, Bulent Arinc, who attended the ceremony with his wife Munevver Arinc.

True Path Party (DYP) Chairman Mehmet Agar said, "I congratulate everyone who has faith in Fethullah Gülen, who is living in foreign lands and is currently ill, and the people who arranged such an organization." Professor Toktamis Ates said "I am moved by the scene of this event.".

Everybody Rushed to Istanbul Exhibition and Congress center

The audience was composed of many distinguished representatives. Turkish politicians and foreign representatives participated in the ceremony, including Arinc and his wife, Munevver Arinc; Minister of Internal Affairs Abdulkadir Aksu, Minister of Education Huseyin Celik; İstanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas, former ministers, deputies and ambassadors of several countries. (By Ibrahim Asaliiglu, Istanbul)

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