Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

The VI International Congress of Turkology, titled "Studies on the Turkic World - Multidisciplinary Perspectives" has been held in Poland, Azernews reports, citing the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.

The main partners of the event included the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, the embassies of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan in Poland, as well as the Yunus Emre Institute, and the Karaite Heritage Foundation.

Vice-rector of the University of Warsaw Zygmunt Lalak delivered an opening speech in which he welcomed the participants and stressed the importance of the congress organized in Poland for the sixth time.

He noted that the conference promotes the rich past, history, language, and culture of the Turkish people in Europe and around the world. Zygmunt Lalak appreciated the services of Turkologists gathered in Warsaw and wished success to the work of the congress.

Turkish Ambassador to Poland Cengiz Kamil Fırat spoke about the importance of the congress as a discussion platform.

The ambassador touched on the importance of the science of Turkology in building a bridge between the past and the future for every Turk. He emphasized that Turkiye always supports projects related to the promotion of the ancient heritage of the Turkic world.

President of International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva participated as an honored guest.

In her speech, Gunay Afandiyeva noted that researching Turkish cultural heritage at a scientific conceptual level in the modern era and involving the Turkologists of the world in this work is of great importance.

"The Turkish world, of course, does not mean the vast geography inhabited by the Turkic peoples. The Turkic world itself includes the common history, culture, literature, language, and traditions of the Turkic peoples. Each of these is the factors that form the Turkish identity and constitute its pillar," said Afandiyeva.

Touching on the fact that the friendly and partnership relations between the Turkish world and Poland are based on ancient history and deep roots, the president of the foundation noted that the Polish people are connected to every member country of the International Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation.

She underlined that Tatars and Karaims, who are national minorities of Turkish origin, live in Poland, adding that the protection of their heritage is in the interest of the organization.

Gunay Afandiyeva also spoke about the development of the science of Turkology.

"Today, Turkology is studied as an independent science in up to thirty European countries. This science is not considered as a branch of oriental studies, but as a separate science," she said.

The president of the foundation noted that the Turkic peoples have been tested by difficult times. Nevertheless, the unity between the peoples continues until now and is getting stronger day by day.

"We witnessed this again two years ago, when Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity and returned the historical Karabakh lands, in the example of the moral support shown by Turkiye," said Afandiyeva.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Poland Nargiz Gurbanova talked about the great scientific achievements of the Azerbaijani people to the Turkic world and gave information about the First All-Union Turkological Congress held in Baku in 1926.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Poland Nargiz Gurbanova highlighted the scientific achievements of the Azerbaijani people to the Turkic world and informed the audience about the First Turkological Congress held in Baku in 1926.

The ambassador stressed that the language of each nation confirms its national identity.

"Azerbaijani language is one of the main factors that determine the nationality of our people. Throughout history, the Azerbaijani language has had a special place among the Turkic languages. In the XVI century, the Azerbaijani language rose to the level of the official state language of the Safavids state. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first secular democratic entity in the Turkic world and the Muslim East, declared the Azerbaijani language the state language in 1918," she said.

The ambassador also drew attention to the decision of the Standing Council of Ministers of Culture of the TURKSOY member countries that the city of Shusha was chosen as the Cultural Capital of the Turkish World for 2023.

Kazakh Ambassador to Poland Alim Kirabayev said that it is important to study the history, culture, language, literature, and politics of the Turkish people in Europe.

The ambassador spoke about the importance of international recognition of the centuries-old values ​​of Kazakhstan and all Turkic states in general. He noted that the congress contributed to the development of mutual relations between Turkish peoples and European peoples.

Alim Kirabayev mentioned the services of the Kazakh Turkologist, poet, and politician Ahmet Baytursynuli, whose 150th anniversary was celebrated at the UNESCO level this year, in the development of the scientific and cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.

Next, professor at the University of Warsaw Tadeusz Majda was awarded an honorary decree for his services to the science of Turkology.

The congress continued with panel discussions.

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