― 16 сентября 2023 г.

21st edition of the International Festival "Awakening Through Art" in Prizren

The 21st edition of the International Festival "Awakening Through Art" organised with the contribution of TURKSOY in Prizren started with an International Workshop of Painters.
 

The festival gathered the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Mrs. Emilija Redzepi, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Kosovo Hajrullah Ceku, TURKSOY Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf, the Mayor of Prizren Shaqir Totaj, the MP of the Democratic Turkish Party of Kosovo Fidan Brina Jılta, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Prishtina H. E. Mr. Tunç Angılı, the  Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Prizren Mr. Celal Doğan, the Head of the Delegation of the Representation of Turkiye Mr. Recai Yılmaz, the Director of the Yunus Emre Institute Ramazan Yılmaz and representatives of many institutions and organisations.

After the opening of the painting exhibitions entitled "Female Perspectives" by German painters and "Austrian Modern Art" by Austrian painters, the official opening ceremony of the festival was held at the Akdere Cinema.

In the speech she delivered at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Emilija Redzepi conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Albin Kurti and stated that the government attaches special importance to cultural activities. Mrs.  Emilija Redzepi further said: "This event, where different cultural spirits come together, is a good opportunity to reflect that the rights of different communities living in Prizren are respected." 

The  Deputy Secretary General of TURKSOY Mr. Sayit Yusuf, who also took the floor  stated that he had been visiting this region since the 90ies and that he has witnessed new developments every time he visited it. Mr. Yusuf further expressed his happiness to see  the strong contribution of young people raised through the Great Student Project to these developments as well as to  the development of the country. Referring to the importance attached to  art in Kosovo, Deputy Secretary General Yusuf drew attention to the role played by the “Awakening Through Art Festival” in keeping Turkic culture alive and expressed his wish as to the continuation of the thereof.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Kosovo Mr. Hajrullah Cheku who also delivered a speech at the event emphasized the importance of the Turkish Community in Kosovo and said: "This place  has hosted many civilisations throughout history. It is a place, where different cultures and  identities coexist and  the Turkish Community is undoubtedly an important component of this cultural harmony we have. The Turkish Community living in Kosovo has raised many artists, authors and painters and has enriched our country with many works reflecting their attachment to their own cultural values which they have always been preserving and keeping alive."

The opening  speeches were followed by a performance of the Ensemble  “Girift Quartet” at the Akdere Open Air Cinema. The Ensemble composed of  scholars of the Ankara University of Music and Fine Arts participated in the festival with the support of TURKSOY  and conquered the hearts of the audience in Prizren with a colourful repertoire  featuring works from Anatolia and the Turkic World .

The 21st International Awakening Through Art Festival ended with a cocktail reception.