2013 Language & Culture Festival

Turkish Language Olympiads have been organised by International Turkish Education Association since 2003. In 2012 students from more than 130 countries have competed in different areas like poetry, singing, acting etc. Member schools have participated in these Olympiads in the past and achieved great results representing Australia. It is a great opportunity for the school community to encourage teaching languages other than English. AUF tries to assist in organising the various stages in Australia and monitor the Australian team selections.

Students who are going to represent Australia at the 11th Turkish Language Olympiads, among the representatives of over 140 countries, have been selected at the Language and Culture Festival on Saturday the 30th of March at City Recital Hall in Sydney.

The Language and Culture Festival, organised by Bayram Turkish Cultural Association, was the battleground for fierce competitions to secure a place at the Olympiads which will be held between 1 and 16 June 2013 in Turkey.

Students from across Australia displayed great performances and made the job of the judges, lead by Deputy CEO of the Australian Universal Federation Mahmut Celal Arikan, extremely hard. At the end, the following students secured the first place in their categories:

Song contest: Ijabo Mohammed (Turkish as a Foreign Language) and Zehra Uzay (Turkish Background)
Poetry Contest: Lena Yacine (Turkish as a Foreign Language) and Fatma Lelik (Turkish Background)
Speaking Contest: Samira Quarshi
Special Talent: Enes Ahmadi

Turkish Consul General Ms Gulseren Celik, CEO of Australian Universal Federation Mr Mehmet Yavuzlar, community leaders, local and national media, visitors from overseas was among more than 1000 quests. Senator The Hon Kate Lundy the Minister For Multicultural Affairs sent a warm message which was read by Ridvan Manav the president of the Bayram Association.

AUF congratulates all students and wishes the finalists all the best in their quest in Turkey.

Click here for Bayram Turkish Cultural Association

After the Australia Finals, Deputy CEO, Mahmut Celal Arikan had numerous sessions with the team to prepare them for the finals. The group represented Australia between 1 and 16 June in Turkey. The Australia Information Centre came third in the Culture Exhibition category. Enes Ahmadi received a third place in Speaking and mention in Special Talent. Fatma Lelik also received a third in Essay Writing.

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