Australian PM praises int’l language festival’s contribution to peace
Receiving some 60 students from 19 countries who came to Australia as part of the 13th International Language and Culture Festival, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has praised the event's contribution to peace.
Abbott hosted the students at his office on Monday after Australian Governor-General Peter Cosgrove hosted the group at his official residence with his spouse, Lynne Cosgrove, on Saturday.
During their visit, the children sang the theme song of the organization that organized the festival, titled “Dünyanın Renkleri” (Colors of the World). After listening to the song, Abbott said it underlined the importance of multiculturalism and praised the initiative's contribution to world peace. Expressing gratitude on behalf of his country that it hosted a part of the 13th International Language and Culture Festival, the Australian prime minister said it is meaningful for children from across the world to sing a song on peace together. He also thanked the children's teachers for their contribution to the organization.
Australia on Sunday for the first time hosted the International Language and Culture Festival. The festival was organized by Sirius Educational Institutions, which have been active in Australia for years.
The first 11 editions of the event were hosted in Turkey, but due to government hostility and the ongoing persecution of the Gülen movement, or Hizmet movement -- which is involved in organizing the culture festival -- the organizers have held the event in various countries since 2014 to avoid potential problems.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused the Hizmet movement of attempting to overthrow his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government, but has failed to present evidence to support this allegation.
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