Turkish Olympics select starts of song

The "Stars of Song" finals, organized as part of the 10th International Turkish Olympics, took place at Istanbul's Sinan Erdem Sports Center on Tuesday. Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay reminded participants of the historical figures who have highlighted importance of the Turkish language throughout their lives. "Thanks to this event, the soul of Karamanoglu Mehmet Bey, who has made Anatolia the motherland of Turkish language, rests in peace as well as the soul of poet Yahya Kemal, who said, ‘My Turkish is my mother's milk on my mouth,' and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who said that the Turkish nation knows how to protect its country and nation and will definitely rescue its language from the oppression of foreign languages," Gunay said. Ruslan Annamammedov from Turkmenistan ranked the first in the competition with Sema Sultanova from Azerbaijan ranking second and Patton Otlivio Latu peirissa from Indonesia in third. The Foundation for Istanbul Culture and Arts (IKSV) Chairman Bulent Eczacibasi received TURKCEDER's "Kasgarlı Mahmut Turkish Language Award" on behalf of the foundation for its contribution to Turkish culture and language. He was presented the award by Gunay. The 10th International Turkish Olympics was inaugurated on May 30 as part of a ceremony at Istanbul's Four Seasons Hotel, kicking off a celebration of the Turkish language with the participation of 1,500 students from 135 countries around the world. The event will close on June 14 at Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul, following an award ceremony to be held June 9 in Ankara. The closing show will be presented with help from 290 students.