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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[email protected]
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
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[email protected]
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