PRESS RELEASE 10.03.2015 CONTACT PERSON: Ilhami Demirtas Mobile: 0825046470 Email: [email protected] Web: www.iflc.co.za South Africa Hosts “World Cultures” The International Festival of Language and Culture - organized by the International Association of Turkish Language (TÜRKÇEDER) - is an annual celebration which showcases a diversity of linguistic talents from across the world. The International Festival of Language and Culture comprises two categories: The Cultural Festival and The Turkish Olympiad. The International Festival of Language and Culture first started in 2003 and proceeded with only 17 countries participating. Whereas last year, 145 countries took part in this event with more than 2500 participants. The mission of The International Festival of Language and Culture is to be both a resource and an advocate for the value of diversity and inclusion. The IFLC serves to support young students around the world learning the Turkish language. It also gives them an opportunity to promote their own cultures among their peers from around the world and to local audiences. It is our mission to support and promote fellowship and dialogue amongst the youth of all cultural backgrounds. We are trying to promote research, learning and information exchanges in support of peace, friendship, and understanding. Students try to engage with the visitors and the local community through initiating and participating in social, cultural, and educational activities. They are building strong ties and lasting friendships and raising hopes for world peace. Respect, tolerance, and goodwill are the key factors to enjoying the diversity of our world. We are all linked together in a world created for all of us to share and enjoy. Each member has the potential to contribute to this common good. It is our duty to encourage and promote that contribution. Humans normally set a distance between themselves and that which is foreign. Communities and nations tend to be defensive about communities and cultures with which they are not familiar or do not communicate with. Dialogue is the key to overcoming this state of communicative failure. Dialogue is the most fundamental rule for achieving a lasting, universal peace. Through dialogue, people, nations and countries can get to know one another as equals and stereotypes and fears will be replaced by peace and fellowship. It is no coincidence that the official song, repeated by all those who are involved in the efforts to build a new world of hope and beauty, has the following revolutionary lyrics: “I saw a luminous future in my dream one night / Lights were silently pouring down everywhere / It was like a harmoniously working clock / Dark nights had gone away / A new world! A new world! / They were building a new world / Everywhere sparkled like the skies / They were building a new world.” Diversity is our treasure and the festival aims to serve this commitment to global community. Horizon Educational Trust (which has been playing a significant role between South Africa and Turkey to strengthen the educational, social and cultural ties since 1998) is hosting the 13th International Festival of Language and Culture in cooperation with Department of the Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation of Gauteng Province, Turquoise Harmony Institute and SATBA. IFLCSA 2015 is sponsored by Menar Holding. “The International Festival of Language and Culture – South Africa 2015 Colours of the World” will be performed at Joburg Theatre – Johannesburg on March 18, 2015 at 19:00. City of Gold – Johannesburg is looking forward to welcoming children from around the world. HET and its partners will be very privileged and blessed to organise such an important festival in South Africa. We would like to show the South African hospitality to participants from abroad. We want them to leave this rainbow nation with unforgettable memories. Event Name: International Festival of Language & Culture,South Africa Slogan: “Colours of the World” Venue: Joburg Theatre –Johannesburg, South Africa Date: March 18, 2015 Time: 18:30 for 19:00 ParticipatingCountries: South Africa, Angola, Australia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Etiyopya, France, Georgia, Holland, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, Philippines, Romania, Thailand, Tanzania, USA, Zambia. IFLCSA Coordinator Ilhami Demirtas