Students coming from all over the world participate in the 11th International Turkish Language Olympiad, which brings together hundreds of foreign students each year from Turkish schools established. This event aims to build strong ties and lasting friendship and in turn raising hopes for world peace. The First Turkish Olympiad were launched in 2003 with the participation of 62 students from 17 countries. This year Turkish Olympiad brought together 2,000 students from 140 countries. Today, there are more than 1,100 Turkish educational institutions in 152 countries. There are around 20,000 teachers and 500,000 students in those educational institutions.
11 the International Turkish Olympiad is being held from June 1-16. A total of 99 activities will be held 55 cities across Turkey during this 16-day event. The large inauguration ceremony was held to mark the start the Olympiad in Ankara with the participation of several ministers and many other high-ranking government officials as well as about 20,000 spectators.
Grand Stage shows students enthrall Izmir locals. The Turkish Olympiad students in the western city of İzmir gave a very large stage show on Sunday night with nearly 100,000 locals attending. A total of 156 students from 25 countries took part in the stage performances, offering the spectators plenty to see. The event continued with singing and poetry recitals by students from various countries, but the spectators showed the greatest interest in performance of a Tanzanian student who sang a song called “Tanzanya’nın bağları” (Tanzania’s vineyards).
The singing final of the Olympiads was held at İstanbul Sinan Erdem Sports Hall on Friday night. Thousands of people attended the final and the foreign students fascinated thousands of spectators with their performances.
Turkish Olympiad students visited President Gül at the Çankaya presidential palace on Friday. Praising the organization of the Turkish Olympiads, Gül stated said that the Turkish Olympiads is one of the greatest services on behalf of Turkey, the Turkish language and Turkish culture. Stating that the Turkish Olympiads help students from all around the world to build strong friendships and brotherhood.
Students also visited some Parliamentary during their visit in Turkey. A group of students went to Parliament on Monday to visit Parliament Speaker Cemil Çiçek, who gave them a warm welcome. Sending his gratitude to all who contributed to the 11th Turkish Olympiad, Çiçek said: “The scope of the Turkish Olympiad is expanding every year.
The students also met with Ankara Governor, the Ministers of Energy and Natural Resources Ministry Taner Yildiz, and EU Affairs Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis in the capital.
