Basha de Bruijn, Jacqueline Vandangen, Kim Smeelies, Berend Holtkamp, Tjeerd Doornbos, Mila Jonlees, Samuel Comazzi, Menno Dropitius and Thijs Engelberting, all university students, are participants in a program based in the Netherlands and decided to come to Turkey. The team is shooting a film in Turkey which they will submit to the competition’s organizers. Winners, selected by a jury, will receive 50,000 euros in prize money.Silifke locals helped the competitors, who were penniless, meet basic needs. During their visit to the Göksü Delta to shoot a film, a local bakery gave them bread while the owner of a furniture store offered them blankets. The group said they received help immediately and that Yasemin Gök, a Silifke resident, had invited them over to be her guests.
“I am a furniture salesperson. Just as I was about to close my shop, a group of people came by and wanted blankets. Because I know English, I was able to easily communicate with them. They then told me why they are in Turkey. After I learned that they had no money, I invited them to my house,” Gök said, adding that she wished the team success.
Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, all of the team members said they are happy to have chosen Turkey as their destination because the locals are friendly. “We saw the best hospitality in Turkey. If we win the 50,000 euros, we will come to Turkey on a good vacation package,” said one of the competitors. They are expected to leave Turkey within five days.
