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| Australian Prime Minister Abbott received 60 students from 19 countries who came to Australia as part of the 13th Int'l Language and Culture Festival at his working office. |
Abbott hosted the students at his working 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 titled “Dünyanın Renkleri (Colors of the World). Listening to the song, Abbott underlined the importance of multiculturalism and praised the initiative's contribution to world peace. Expressing gratitude on behalf of his country to host a part of the 13th International Language and Culture Festival, the Australian prime minister said it is meaningful that children from across the world together sing a song on peace. He also thanked teachers of the children for their contribution to the organization.
Australia for the first time hosted an International Language and Culture Festival on Sunday. 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.
Published on Today's Zaman, 08 June 2015, Monday
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