The 23 finalists who participated in the 21st International Language and Culture Festival (IFLC) are being prepared for this year’s festival by familiar names. Former champions whose lives have been changed by IFLC are preparing their discovered talents in their respective countries for this year’s competition.
Among the hundreds of young talents who have grown in the IFLC kitchen and are now artists in their own countries, only a few are Ingrid, Mıktıbek, and Xhon. They are three young individuals in their twenties who have built their careers around art and have a life deeply intertwined with music. The common point among all three is that they have participated in previous IFLC events. They are recognized and beloved figures in their countries. The former champions are passing on their experiences to this year’s contestants. They guide them on everything from how to stand on stage and hold the microphone to how to manage their excitement and even provide guidance on Turkish pronunciation.
Xhon from Albania (26) was a finalist in a singing competition held in Ankara in 2013. In 2014, he was among the students who participated in a Turkey tour, covering cities such as Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir, Bursa, Gaziantep, Erzurum, and Kayseri. After returning to his country, he pursued a career in music and became a recognized opera singer with albums to his name. Two students, discovered and nurtured by Xhon, will represent Albania in this year’s festival.
Another Albanian contestant, Ingrid (22), achieved third place in the grand final held in Romania in 2016 with her performance of the song “Gönül.” Thanks to IFLC, she has sung in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, and even the Philippines. Ingrid, who says, “I gained the experience I would acquire throughout my entire life,” emphasizes that sharing her experiences with contestants from all around the world this year is ‘unique’ for her. After seven years, Ingrid expresses that she is experiencing ‘incredible’ days again. She says, “I feel like a child again. I am very happy to be here. Hopefully, IFLC will continue to grow. It is a very important festival for the world. If the world knew how powerful this festival is, they would also want to be a part of it.”
Miktibek from Kyrgyzstan (26) participated in the competition held in Turkey in 2012 with his performance of the song “Genç Osman.” After participating in IFLC, which he describes as having shaped his future, Miktibek graduated from the conservatory and now has a music school, studio, and choir in his country. Miktibek, who joined this year’s IFLC song competition with his Kyrgyz student, said the following: “IFLC is a massive organization. It has been very beneficial in shaping my life and choosing my profession. I have seen what I can achieve. In 2021 and 2022, I organized two major concerts in Kyrgyzstan. I couldn’t have done it if I hadn’t seen this place.”
Source: TR724.COM
