Turk teens help forge ties

CRAIG HOGGETT | April 26, 2011 12.01am

SEVEN Turkish students have marked the 96th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings by urging people to focus on reconciliation.

A student exchange program, Tears of Gallipoli, has been established to forge closer ties between Australia, New Zealand and Turkey.

Tears of Gallipoli also aims to help heal the scars left by World War I.

The Tasmanian branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia invited the students to attend Anzac Day ceremonies in Hobart yesterday including the laying of a wreath at the main service.

After the dawn service, 17-year-olds Doruk Akarcay, Cem Cavus and Idil Cengiz from the Istanbul Lisesi School said it was an honour to be part of the dawn service and the wreath-laying ceremonies.

The three youngsters said it was important to remember those who went to war regardless of the countries they served.

Doruk said Australia, New Zealand and Turkey all suffered from World War I so it was important to remember it together.

World War I is an important part of the Turkish education system’s curriculum.

The students said yesterday’s service was very different from those held in Turkey where the 250,000 people who died during the war are honoured on March 18.

But they said the reasons for the services were the same.

“It’s the same pain so it’s important that we remember what happened,” Idil said.

And Cem said: “It is also very important for new generations to remember what happened during World War I.”

via Turk teens help forge ties Tasmania News – The Mercury – The Voice of Tasmania.