On March 29, 2026, the Chinese Poetry Recitation and Chinese Song Karaoke Competition, organized by the Confucius Institute at Middle East Technical University (METU CI), took place as scheduled. Forty Chinese language learners took the stage with well preparation. Classical Chinese poetry and Chinese pop melodies created a moving interplay on the METU campus.

On the poetry recitation stage, the participants delivered a wide range of works, including Snow - to the Tune of Chin Yuan Chun 《沁园春·雪》, Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again 《再别康桥》, Facing the Sea with Spring Blossoms《面朝大海春暖花开》etc. Students of METU CI performed these pieces with great expressiveness, fully demonstrating their thorough preparation and deep understanding of the poems. The audience listened quietly, and in that moment, cultural resonance transcended language.

During the Chinese song singing segment, the atmosphere became even more vibrant. Seventeen groups presented a diverse selection of songs. The stage turned into a joyful Chinese music party. The confident performances of the contestants not only showcased their progress in speaking Chinese but also revealed their interest in learning Chinese songs.

In the end, Onur Emre Kasaplı won first place in the recitation competition with his performance of "Spring in a Pleasure Garden《沁园春·长沙》". İlke Nilsu Durukan claimed the top prize in the singing competition with a fresh and heartwarming rendition of "Gardenia in Blossom (栀子花开)". The competition not only provided a platform for participants to show their talents and exchange learning experiences but also gave the audience a deeper appreciation of classical Chinese poetry and Chinese songs. This event marked the opening of the METU CI series of activities for the UN Chinese Language Day. In April, METU CI will also hold a Chinese character writing competition, continuing to offer students opportunities to show what they have learned and shine on stage.