Konya Governor & Mayor distribute prizes at Chughtai Awards ceremony

KONYA, 26 May 2015:  Governor Muammer Erol and Mayor Tahir Akyurek of Konya participated in the Chughtai Art Awards 2015 ceremony held at the Konya Public Library on Monday and distributed prizes to the winning students. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Sohail Mahmood, local dignitaries, participants of the art competition, and large number of students, academics and parents were present on the occasion.

As part of Cultural Diplomacy, the Pakistan Embassy in Ankara organized this year’s Chughtai Art Awards competition in the Konya province. The thematic focus of the competition was “Art & Architecture of Pakistan.” The event was organized in collaboration with Konya branch of National Education Ministry of Turkey. 

High school students of the Konya Province participated in the competition.  A total of 36 paintings were shortlisted for consideration of a panel of independent judges, who selected nine paintings for prizes in three categories. A painting made by Mr Engin Sayin of Mehmet Akif Ersoy Anadolu Lisesi won the first prize while paintings of Ms. Fatma Vural of the same school and Ms. Esra Ergun of Konya Çimento Güzel Sanatlar Lisesi got second and third prizes, respectively.

Speaking at the Prize Distribution Ceremony, Mayor Tahir Akyurek highlighted the close ties between Pakistan and Turkey, emphasized the connection between Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi and Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and lauded the efforts of the students supported by the Pakistan Embassy and the Education Directorate.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood commended students and teachers for their active participation. He stated that the ties of brotherhood and cultural affinity between the peoples of Pakistan and Turkey reinforced this special relationship. The Ambassador said that Pakistan’s  national poet Muhammad Iqbal and great mystic and Sufi saint Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi are great symbols of the spiritual connection between the two nations. He reiterated the desire to further strengthen Turkey-Pakistan relations in political, economic and cultural fields.

Konya province Director of National Education Directorate Mr. Mukadder Gürsoy said all students in Konya had love for Pakistan and a reflection of it could be seen in these paintings. He showed keen interest in holding this competition on a regular basis. The exhibition will remain open to public from 25-29 May 2015 at the Public Library.

Earlier, as part of his official visit to Konya, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood separately met with Governor Muammer Erol and Mayor Tahir Akyurek. He emphasized the importance of strengthening relations with Konya within the framework of Sister City Protocol with Multan. The Ambassador also underlined the importance of deepening mutual links on the basis of Iqbal-Rumi affinity. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood also noted Konya’s tremendous economic progress and its significant contribution to Turkey’s external trade.  Both sides agreed on strengthening economic and commercial collaboration.

Separately, the Pakistan Ambassador was also invited to participate in the opening ceremony of an exhibition of items prepared by women graduates of vocational training. During his opening speech on the occasion, the Mayor of Konya highlighted the special bonds between Pakistan and Turkey and expressed the hope that multi-dimensional cooperation between the two fraternal nations would be further enhanced.

More photos on https://goo.gl/5KjlV9