11th International Turkish Olympiads kicks off in Istanbul

The 11th International Turkish Olympiads, celebrating the Turkish language and brings together 2,000 students from 140 countries this year, kicked off in Istanbul on Wednesday. The event began with a news conference held in Ataturk Olympic Stadium attended by the Turkish deputy parliamentary speaker and International Turkish Language Olympiads organizing committee chairman Mehmet Saglam, Turkish Education Association (TURKCEDER) President Ali Ursavaş, Professor Sukru Haluk Akalin, Fatih University Rector Serif Ali Tekalan, Deputy General Manager of Bank Asya, the main sponsor of Turkish Olympiads, Murat Aydogan, Turkish Olympiads General Arts Director Cemil Ozen and some of the students. Speaking at the event, Saglam said, "There are two heroes behind this festival, namely, the teachers who teach these children under difficult circumstances and teach them Turkish while the other is the people who support them."