The East Coast finals were held at Felician College in Rutherford, N.J., to select finalists to represent the US at the 8th International Turkish Olympiads, organized annually by the International Turkish Education Association (TÜRKÇEDER), with at least 2,000 people in attendance. Dozens of American contestants who displayed their skills in the categories of performing Turkish folk dances, singing songs and reciting poems in Turkish fascinated the guests who attended the competition. Winners from each category will represent the United States at the 8th World Turkish Olympiads to be held between May 26 and June 10 in İstanbul. This year, over 1,000 students from 115 countries around the world are expected to represent their countries.
The competition, organized by the Turkish Cultural Foundation for the third time this year, was anchored by well-known actor Michael McGlone. Delivering the opening speech at the competition, Turkish Olympiads Committee President Mustafa Gökçek said: “Dozens of children from 14 schools have been preparing for this contest. Today’s winners will represent the US in this year’s Turkish Olympiads, but all are champions for us.”
Turkish Consul General in New York Mehmet Samsar also made a speech at the competition, saying it was an honor to attend the East Coast finals. Kingsley Gardener, who ranked first in the song contest and will represent the US in İstanbul this year, thanked his teachers, adding that he knew he would win. He said he had worked hard for five months to be selected and was excited to be going to İstanbul.
Organized by TÜRKÇEDER, this year’s Turkish Olympiads will host hundreds of international students from a range of countries including Afghanistan, Argentina, Venezuela, Benin, Ethiopia, Congo, France, Italy, Uganda, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
