The Opening Ceremony of the 13th Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Erzurum took place on Sunday night with Turkey’s Youth and Sports Minister Akif Çağatay Kılıç highlighting the EYOF’s call for "peace, friendship and brotherhood" during a magnificent ceremony.
Kılıç’s speech was delivered in front of a crowd of 15,000 spectators at the Kazım Karabekir Stadium and to a worldwide audience via the Olympic Channel.
Other dignitaries attending the event included Turkish Minister of Health, Recep Akdağ; Governor of Erzurum, Seyfettin Azizoğlu; Erzurum Metropolitan Mayor, Mehmet Sekmen; EOC acting President Janez Kocijančič and members of the EOC Executive Committee; Turkish Olympic Committee (TOC) 1st Vice President, Türker Arslan; TOC Vice President and EOC Executive Committee member, Hasan Arat.
The opening ceremony began with the Turkish national anthem performed by the TRT Erzurum children's choir. The parade of athletes saw Greece enter the stadium first – in honour of the country where the Olympic Games began – followed by the other competing nations in alphabetical order, with Turkey entering last as the host country.
Youth and Sports Minister Minister Kılıç, said:
"The Winter European Youth Olympic Festival is a call from Erzurum to peace, friendship and brotherhood. The Winter European Youth Olympic Festival is the name of the bridge between countries built with goodness, tolerance and sincerity. Today, what the world needs most is to increase the number of these bridges.
"I would like to express my gratitude to those who have made every effort and provided the biggest support to realising the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in Erzurum: His Excellency President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and His Excellency Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım who have always stood by sports and athletes, and who have changed Turkey’s vision with ground breaking policies, raising our voice and case in the international arena.
"I also would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues who have contributed so much to organising this event, and to you, my fellow citizens in Erzurum, for your hospitality.
"I would like to wish a successful and friendly competition to the Olympic stars of the future competing here. I hope to meet you all again in other organisations as we build new bridges bringing us closer together.
"Finally, allow me to extend my greetings to you all with respect, love and affection."
In total, 650 athletes from 34 nations are competing in Erzurum with 200 local and foreign members of the press accredited to cover the action.
EOC acting President Janez Kocijančič said:
"On behalf of the European Olympic Committees I wish to greet the young athletes of Europe gathered here in Erzurum to participate in the European Youth Olympic Festival to compete in the spirit of Olympic friendship, respect and excellence: values that are important in sport and in life.
"I wish to thank our Turkish friends, the Organising Committee and the National Olympic Committee. Without them this event would not have been possible. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart for this outstanding organisation, which has established a high standard in all aspects from the sport venues to the security. Thanks to the government of Turkey who accepted this huge challenge and devoted an enormous amount of energy and resources to the success of the event.
"The most important message of the EYOF is bringing the youth of Europe together in friendship. Through sport, the Olympic Movement achieves unity in diversity: coming together from the various nations of Europe, these youngsters will meet and make lasting friendships that can ensure peace and prosperity to our continent.
"Thanks to the wonderful volunteers that express the great efficiency and warm hospitality of this great European country."
After the ceremony, Hasan Arat, TOC Vice President, said:
"I would like to thank Youth and Sports Minister Akif Çağatay Kılıç, Erzurum Metropolitan Mayor Mehmet Sekmen, Governor of Erzurum Seyfettin Azizoğlu, EOC acting President Janez Kocijančič and members of the EOC Executive Committee and the Olympic Committees of all participating countries for their interest, support and solidarity."
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