Turkish Language Festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Turkish Language Festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nearly 6,000 children who are learning Turkish as an elective course in their schools gathered for the 12th Children's Festival, organized by the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) in the city of Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of the "My Choice is Turkish" project.
The festival, held at Zenica Arena in the city of Zenica, was attended by Deputy Minister of National Education Ömer Faruk Yelkenci, Turkey's Ambassador to Sarajevo Emin Akseki, Prime Minister of Zenica-Doboj Canton Nezir Pivić, YEE President Abdurrahman Aliy, Istanbul Provincial Director of National Education Murat Mücahit Yentür, Bursa Provincial Director of National Education Ahmet Alireisoğlu, representatives of Turkish institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as guests, students, and their teachers from both Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In his speech during the program, Deputy Minister Yelkenci stated that thousands of students in Bosnia and Herzegovina are learning Turkish through the My Choice is Turkish project.
He invited the children in the hall to visit Turkey and noted that, within the framework of the sister school project, Bosnian students have been meeting with Turkish students.
Ambassador Akseki also emphasized that the spirit of brotherhood between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina was strongly felt in the hall and that a warm atmosphere had formed.
Stressing that Bosnia and Herzegovina holds a special place in the hearts of the Turkish people, Akseki said, “We love you as our own children. One of the ways to maintain the unique bonds of brotherhood between our countries and peoples is by learning each other’s languages. I myself will soon begin learning your language, and I hope to address you in your own language here next year.”
Prime Minister of Zenica-Doboj Canton Pivić stated that the ties between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey have existed for centuries and are becoming even stronger.
He noted that Turkey has supported many projects in Zenica and said, “We are hosting you, the students who are learning Turkish, from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am especially pleased that Zenica has been hosting this event for many years, as it reflects our identity and hospitality. You are always welcome here.”
YEE President Aliy emphasized that children learning Turkish are goodwill ambassadors connecting Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Highlighting the unifying power of the Turkish language, Aliy said, “Our children are not only learning Turkish but also gaining the opportunity to explore Turkey and our historical ties more deeply. So far, under the My Choice is Turkish project, we have strived to teach Turkish to nearly 20,000 children.”
During the program, students who excelled in their Turkish classes performed songs in Turkish.
Concert by Famous Bosnian Singer Amel Ćurić
Awards were presented to students who placed in various competitions organized by YEE throughout the year as part of the My Choice is Turkish project.
The event, which gave the children a joyful day, also featured folk dance performances and visual shows.
In previous years, the festival hosted famous Balkan artists and groups such as Dino Merlin, Hari Mata Hari, Mirza Selimović, and Džejla Ramović. This year, one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most popular singers, Amel Ćurić, performed a concert.
Latif Močević, known in Bosnia and Herzegovina for his children's songs, also performed Memleketim accompanied by a video featuring scenes from Turkey.
The children waved Turkish and Bosnian flags, creating vibrant and colorful scenes.
The festival received support not only from Turkish institutions and companies but also from many organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.