The Akil Koci Prize is the highest prize given annually at the International Competition of Classical Music Pristina for outstanding performances of pieces by Albanian composers.

The prize is given to two candidates in the form of a yearly scholarship.

It is named in honor of the Kosovar

Kosovo

Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...

 composer, Akil Mark Koci

Akil Mark Koci

Akil Mark Koci is a Kosovar Albanian composer and music writer.- Education :...

 and presented by him every April at the Red Hall, Pristina

Pristina

Pristina, also spelled Prishtina and Priština is the capital and largest city of Kosovo. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous municipality and district....

.

The 2005 recipient of the prize was 12 year old Albanian

Albanians

Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...

 pianist, Arti Marika.

The 2008 recipient of the prize was Turkish

Turkey

Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...

 pianist, Furkan Ozyazici

Sources

• Turkish Cultural Foundation. Online http://www.turkishculture.org/person_detail.php?ID=1699
• European Union of Music Competitions for Youth. Online http://www.emcy.org/mcfy/comps.php?A=OC&ID=198&B=1 Accessed 27 May, 2007.
• International Chamber Music Festival Prishtina. Online http://www.arskosova.net/ Accessed 27 May, 2007.
• Istanbul University Archive. Online http://www.istanbul.edu.tr/duyurular/duyuru_icerik.php?1403= Accessed 29 October 2008.