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  • ISTANBUL: Camp to gather kids of different ethnic groups

    Hurriyet, Turkey
    Aug 6 2012


    Camp to gather kids of different ethnic groups

    ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

    Turkish Red Crescent set for a gathering which will bring the children
    from different ethnic groups such as Turks, Kurds, Syriacs and
    Armenians under a project called `Traces of Multicultural Life' in
    Heybeliada island.

    According to the project the children would be instructed on various
    subjects such as Red Crescent philosophy, tolerance and living
    together during the camp. The children will teach their own customs
    and traditions to each other. DAILY NEWS photo.

    Vercihan ZiflioÄ?luvercihan.ziflioglu@hurriyet.com.tr

    A youth camp on Heybeliada island is preparing to host 80 children
    between the ages of 12 and 15 for a unique gathering bringing together
    many different ethnic groups under the auspices of the Turkish Red
    Crescent.

    Avedis Hilkat, who is the chief executive officer of the Red
    Crescent's branch on the Princes' Islands, said he was extremely
    excited to bring something new to Turkey.

    `As the Red Crescent, we want all the colors of Turkey to get to know
    each other from their childhood, including Turks, Kurds, Armenians,
    Greeks, Syriacs, Jews, Chaldeans, and Circassians. We will try to show
    that differences create this country's wealth,' Hilkat said.

    The Heybeliada Youth Camp will host youth from Turkey as part of a
    project called the `Traces of Multicultural Life.' A unit of experts
    consisting of 20 people will accompany the children during the camp.
    `Adalar district [the islands' jurisdiction] houses all the
    differences in a peaceful and multicultural atmosphere, regardless of
    distinctions such as Muslim vs. non-Muslim,' Hilkat said, adding that
    that they chose Heybeliada to host the camp for that reason. Hilkat
    said their point of departure was the proverb `As the twig is bent, so
    grows the tree.' `We aim to teach our children solidarity, love and
    friendship regardless of differences in religion, language, and race,
    which is in accordance with the philosophy of the Red Crescent. Their
    socializing with each other at that age will change their worldview
    and bring them different perspectives. Not only Turkish children, but
    also our children belonging to different cultures will realize that
    each of them is an integral part of a whole,' Hilkat said. The Red
    Crescent official said the children would be instructed on various
    subjects such as Red Crescent philosophy, tolerance and living
    together during the camp. `Plays will be staged, pantomime shows will
    be held, and the children will teach their own customs and traditions
    to each other. Also they will get to know all the islands [in Adalar
    district], starting with Heybeliada,' Hilkat said. The camp will be
    held between Aug. 9 and 18 this year and is expected to become a
    yearly event.

    Children from Adıyaman and Å?emdinli first guests
    Hilkat said the camp land was bought by the Red Crescent last year and
    had a 120-person capacity and added that it would host children from
    Istanbul and Anatolia. The first guests from Anatolia will come from
    the eastern localities of Adıyaman and Å?emdinli.

    He also said they were holding negotiations with the governors of
    different provinces, patriarchates and spiritual leaders for minority
    communities. `We have received positive reactions from both official
    channels and families for the project,' Hilkat said.

    August/06/2012

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