Golden medal to Cihat Aşkın
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Haziran 12, 2009 00:00
İSTANBUL - The Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts, a U.S.-based organization that supports artistic pursuits, gathered in Istanbul over the weekend to announce the winners of this year’s prestigious gold medals.
Three figures from Turkey were awarded the medal this year. One was violinist and composer Cihat Aşkın, who received the honor for his contributions to the improvement of classical music in Turkey, the promotion of Turkish music internationally and the development of music education in Anatolia. Renowned names from Turkey and the United States, including Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent, attended the award ceremony, which took place in Esma Sultan Mansion. The Kennedy Center also honored pianist Cana Gürmen and businessman Ahmet Kocabıyık.
"I am proud to receive such a respectable award," Aşkın said at the ceremony. "My country is a young one, but the tradition of art is old. I have tried to learn about this tradition since I was a music student. And during this adventure, I discovered that the root of Turkish culture is very colorful. As a musician, if I have made a contribution to the human soul, how happy I am."
The Kennedy Center began bestowing its awards in 2005 at a ceremony in St. Petersburg. One of the first recipients was the two-time Academy Award-winning actress Olivia de Havilland. In 2006, actors Michael Caine and Jeremy Irons were awarded the medal.
"I am proud to receive such a respectable award," Aşkın said at the ceremony. "My country is a young one, but the tradition of art is old. I have tried to learn about this tradition since I was a music student. And during this adventure, I discovered that the root of Turkish culture is very colorful. As a musician, if I have made a contribution to the human soul, how happy I am."
The Kennedy Center began bestowing its awards in 2005 at a ceremony in St. Petersburg. One of the first recipients was the two-time Academy Award-winning actress Olivia de Havilland. In 2006, actors Michael Caine and Jeremy Irons were awarded the medal.