Turkish young pianists bag awards in Russia

Two young Turkish pianists were given awards at an international music competition in Russia's St. Petersburg on Sunday.

Damla Kosar, 18, and Arya Su Gulenc, 8, came in second in their groups for their performance in the Ninth Savshinsky International Competition on Jan. 2-7.

No one came first in Gulenc's group, according to a statement from Bursa-based AkademiX Fine Arts Center where young people were trained by Russian-origin piano teacher Elena Cekic.

"Although I did work very hard and despite my faultless performance, I only managed to come in second," the eight-year-old said, the statement said.

Kosar said her result was "definitely good, the competition conditions and the jury criteria were pretty hard".

Artists from the St. Petersburg State Conservatory, Moscow State Conservatory and Moscow Gnesin Academy of Music also participated in the competition, the center said.