Six thousand students learning Turkish at 150 different high schools and primary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina came together at the Children’s Festival, the 6th organization of which took place this year.

This year, the Children’s Festival was again held in Zenica City of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where it has been held since 2013, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, Turkish Embassy in Sarajevo and Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and under the organization of Yunus Emre Institute.

The Children’s Festival, bringing six thousand students from 50 different high schools and primary schools in 7 different cantons of Bosnia and Herzegovina together, was supported by more than 100 institutions and organizations.

The program organized in Zenica Sports Hall was held with the participation of Mr. Ömer Arısoy, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Haldun Koç, the Ambassador of the Turkish Embassy in Sarajevo, Ms. Jasmin Duvnjak, the Chairperson of the Parliament of Zenica Doboj Canton, Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, the President of the Yunus Emre Institute, and several other distinguished guests both from Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Before starting the festival, Turkish and Bosnian songs were sung for children coming to the hall. Songs composed by Turkish musicians were performed for the students learning Turkish.

The festival reflecting excitement and enthusiasm of the children to the stage started at 13.30 with singing national anthems of both countries.

“Turkish is the language of the heart.”

Mr. Ömer Arısoy, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, started his speech at the organization by sending his compliments to the esteemed President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Stating his happiness for being in Bosnia and Herzegovina and feeling friendship between the two countries and their people, Mr. Arısoy emphasized that Turkish is the language of the heart. The Minister Mr. Arısoy explained that Turkish, the language of Sarı Saltuq and Ayvaz Dede, is taught all around the world thanks to Yunus Emre Institutes and said that they, as the Ministry Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, are ready to do what is needed to be done to improve relations between the two countries.

“Turkish people are always with us”

Ms. Jasmin Duvnjak, the Chairperson of the Parliament of Zenica Doboj Canton, stated that she was very happy to be together with Turkish people and said: “With such a significant program, we thank Turkish people for being always with us”. Emphasizing that it is everybody’s right to learn his/her mother tongue, Ms. Duvnjak pointed out our common values and wished children to always be happy and energetic.

“The future belongs to you”

In his speech, Mr. Haldun Koç, the Ambassador of the Turkish Embassy in Sarajevo, stating his pleasure to celebrate this festival together with children to whom the future belongs, expressed that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk awarded this day to the children of the world.

Stating that this festival was organized with the sincere efforts of several institutions including, in particular, Yunus Emre Institute as well as TİKA and Maarif Foundation of Turkey, Mr. Koç thanked the organizers.

“By choosing the Turkish language, you have also chosen freedom and friendship”

Mr. Şeref Ateş, the President of Yunus Emre Institute, started the opening speech by addressing the children choosing Turkish within the scope of the My Choice is Turkish project as “Young ladies and gentlemen” and said that 80 million Turkish people sent their regards to them.

Pointing out them that there are two main meanings of National Sovereignty and Children's Day, celebrated on April 23, Prof. Dr. Ateş explained that one of these is children and the second one is liberty. He said, “We want freedom not only for Turkish children but also for all children of the world”.

Stating that this feast was awarded to all children of the world by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, as a representative of a lost generation of children and youth in battlefields, Mr. Ateş said “For this reason, we want a world in which you can freely realize yourself with the awareness of your childhood and freedom. Do not forget to follow your dreams. We sincerely and deferentially greet you, the adults of tomorrow, who choose freedom and friendship by choosing Turkish from around every corner of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Happy festival!”

After the speeches, the students ranking top in competitions organized in various branches within the scope of “Children’s Festival” were awarded.

İ. Damla Güvenilir, leading actress of TV series “Elif” which is the top-rated TV series among the Turkish TV series which are featured on national and local televisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the festival for the second time this year and shared happiness and excitement of the children with the poems she performed.

Children's Festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm and made an overwhelming impression in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also, the famous Bosnian artist Mirza Selimović took stage in the program. With his beautiful and distinguished songs, Mirza Selimović presented a memorable day for children. The program came to an end after cutting a cake in commemoration of the 9th anniversary of the Yunus Emre Institute’s founding.