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Transcript/ScriptUkrainians Russians Learning Turkish - Kizilkaya
HEADLINE: Learning Turkish Brings Ukrainians and Russians in Same Classroom
TEASER: Several Ukrainians and Russians who sought refuge in Turkey after the war began are now classmates in a Turkish course in Turkey’s western Izmir province
PUBLISHED AT: 02/22/2023 at 4:15pm
BYLINE: Soner Kizilkaya, Ogulcan Bakiler
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Izmir, Turkey
VIDEOGRAPHER: Ogulcan Bakiler
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Kenochs; MPage
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original | Turkish Service
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:23
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[Several Ukrainians and Russians, who left their countries after the war began, now find themselves classmates in a Turkish language course. VOA’s Soner Kizilkaya and Ogulcan Bakiler have filed this story from Izmir, narrated by Bezhan Hamdard. ]]
((NARRATOR))
Maryna Shyshka is one of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who had to leave their country after the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year.
She has lived in Turkey for 11 months, and is now learning Turkish.
((Maryna Shyshka, Ukrainian in Turkey)) ((Female in Turkish))
“After I started learning the language, my life here became much easier. Now I can go to the mall or hospital by myself. This is also how I became friends with my Turkish neighbors.”
((NARRATOR))
One of Shyshka's classmates in the Turkish course is Marfa Alekseeva, a Russian citizen.
Since the start of the war, not only Ukrainians, but also hundreds of thousands of Russians have left their country, including Alekseeva.
((Marfa Alekseeva, Russian in Turkey)) ((Female in Turkish))
“I came to Turkey from Russia at the end of October because I wanted to live in a safe and quiet place after the war. I can stay here for a long time. That's why I wanted to learn Turkish. Now I can express myself at the bank, in the market, on the bus.”
((NARRATOR))
The Turkish language class for Russians and Ukrainians is organized by the Eurasian Leader Women's Culture and Social Assistance Association in Izmir.
The class was initially opened for kids, but with great interest, an additional one was organized for adults.
Meeting twice a week, 24 students are enrolled in the Turkish class in the adults’ section. There is a huge waitlist to enroll in the class.
A completion certificate is needed for people who want to get a driver’s license or to search for jobs in Turkey.
((Salome Derme, Eurasian Leader Women's Culture and Social Assistance Association)) ((Female in Turkish))
“I came here from the war between Russia and Georgia in 2008. And I understand their pain very well, but I know that speaking in hate language is not a good thing.”
((NARRATOR))
The class aims to integrate Russians and Ukrainians in Turkey. This common goal unites the people of two warring countries.
((Maryna Shyshka, Ukrainian in Turkey)) ((Female in Turkish))
“I consider myself a patriotic person. I try to be friends with anyone who accepts me this way. I see everyone as human. Politics stay outside this door.”
((For Soner Kizilkaya and Ogulcan Bakiler in Izmir, Turkey Bezhan Hamdard, VOANEWS))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Izmir, Turkey
Embargo DateFebruary 22, 2023 22:02 EST
Byline((For Soner Kizilkaya and Ogulcan Bakiler in Izmir, Turkey Bezhan Hamdard, VOA News)
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
