The Orchestra of Traditional Instruments of TURKSOY was established in 2016 with a view introducing traditional instruments as well as ethnic and traditional music of Turkic speaking countries to the world. The Orchestra of Traditional Instruments of Turkic speaking countries such as the dombra, baglama, syrnai, sherter, kyl-kobyz, tar, kamancha, komuz, kyl-kyiak, kuray, nay, kaval, mouth harp, morin huur, garmon, rubab, topshur, chatgan, doyra, jetigen and qanun.&nbsp;The Orchestra of Traditional Instruments of TURKSOY &nbsp;gave its first concert &nbsp;within the framework of Nevruz celebrations held in March &nbsp;2016 in Ankara, Istanbul, New York and Washington DC. Later on, the Orchestra of Traditional Instruments of TURKSOY &nbsp;gave concerts dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the independence of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and took the scene in Kazakhstan (Taldykorgan, Almaty), Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek), Turkey (Ankara, Istanbul, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya) and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (Kyrenea) &nbsp;in 2016. In 2017, the orchestra further performed within the framework of events to celebrate &nbsp;Turkistan, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic Word 2017 and took the scene in Turkey (Edirne), Romania (Constanta and Bucarest) and Moldova (Cisinau and Komrat).In 2018, the Orchestra of Traditional Instruments of TURKSOY gave concerts dedicated to the 25th anniversary of TURKSOY in various cities of Turkey and Japan and introduced traditional melodies of Turkic speaking countries to the world: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey and autonomous republics of the Russian Federation Altai, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Khakassia, Tyva, Sakha-Yakutia as well as Mongolia and Gagauzia (Moldova). The orchestra is composed of professional soloists, dancers and musicians who are members of famous music and dance ensembles of various countries of the Turkic World.

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Orchestra of Traditional Instruments of TURKSOY

Gathering talented young musicians of the best conservatories of Turkic republics, the Youth Chamber Choir of TURKSOY was established in order to ensure the exchange of repertoires, conductors and musicians among orchestras of the Turkic World and introduce Turkic music to the world. With brilliant performances it gave and prestigious awards it won, this orchestra has been a great soucre of pride for the Turkic World.The choir composed of students from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and Tatarstan (RF) came together fort he first time in Ankara in 2015. The Youth Chamber Choir of TURKSOY is the result of a Project which was agreed upon at the 32nd Term Meeting of the Permanent Council of Ministers of Culture of Turkic Speaking Countries. The aim of this project is to promote choir music among Turkic peoples as well as on a global scale. Young artists who came together under the auspices of TURKSOY within the framework of this project have achieved major success in a short period of time thanks to the training they received from experts in the field of choir music. Under the Choirmaster of the Turkish Radio and Television Mrs. Elnara Karimova and the Choirmaster of the Philharmonic Choir of Kazakhstan&nbsp; Mrs. Gulmira Kuttybadamova, the Youth Chamber Choir of TURKSOY achieved its first great success at the 2nd European Choir Games held in Germany in 2015 where it won three gold medals. A year later, in 2016, young talents of the &nbsp;Chamber Choir of TURKSOY &nbsp;took the scene in the prestigious &nbsp;Festival of Young Artists held in Bayreuth. This festival which take place with the contibution of choirs from various countries of the world was a unique experience for the Chamber Choir of TURKSOY as it offered a unique opportunity for its young artists not only to exchange their experiences with their peers but also to give concerts in 10 different cities and be part of the Harmony International Choir gathereing all choirs participating in the festival.Young talents of the Turkic Worlod who gave concerts dedicated to the 25th anniversary of TURKSOY in various cities of Kazakhstan including Karagandy, Pavlodar, Semey, Oskemen and Astana are further pursuing their activities aiming at the promotion of Turkic music on a global scale.

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Youth Chamber Choir of TURKSOY

The Youth Chamber Orchestra of TURKSOY composed of talented young conservatory students of TURKSOY member countries &nbsp;was established in 2010 by the International Organization of Turkic Culture&nbsp; in order to promote the music potential of Turkic speaking peoples through the universal language of classical music and introduce Turkic culture, music and composers to the &nbsp;world.The Youth Chamber Orchestra of TURKSOY was established with the support of Ministries of Culture of TURKSOY member countries&nbsp; as well as of the Rectors of the Ankara State Conservatory &nbsp;of the Hacettepe University in Turkey, the Kurmangazy Kazak National Conservatory, the Kyrgyz National &nbsp;Conservatory, the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, the State Conservatory of Kazan named after N. Jiganov, the Baku Academy of Music named after U. Hajibeyli and the&nbsp; Ufa State Academy of Fine Arts named after Z. Ismagilov. Since its establishment, the Youth Chamber Orchestra of TURKSOY has given nearly 60 concerts in various cities of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the United States of America, Germany, England, Italy, Scotland, France, Austria, Slovakia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia and Albania.With tens of different concerts it gave on various continents of the world, the Youth Chamber Orchestra of TURKSOY enchanted its audience while introducing common melodies of Turkic culture to amateurs of music. Following its first concerts in Ankara and &nbsp;at the First International Festival of Youth Orchestras in Istanbul, the Youth Chamber Orchestra of TURKSOY later took the scene at the Festival of Young Artists Bayreuth&nbsp; in Germany where it performed together with young talents from various countries of the world. In 2011, the orchestra came together with a new repertoire dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the independence of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and recorded its first album &nbsp;under the auspices of the International Organization of Turkic Culture TURKSOY in the Studio of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Turkey. In 2012, the orchestra gave concerts in&nbsp; &nbsp;America, Europe and Eurasia and performed the Yunus Emre Oratorio together with the Symphony Orchestra of&nbsp; TURKSOY in New York and Washington DC. In 2013, the &nbsp;Youth Chamber Orchestra of TURKSOY came together once again&nbsp; for a tour throughout Turkey during which it recorded its second album &nbsp;featuring a fully new repertoire dedicated to the 20th anniversary of&nbsp; TURKSOY. In 2017 and 2018, the orchestra gave 10 concerts and enchanted its audience in various countries of the Balkans including &nbsp;Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia Herzegovina and Serbia. Most recently, the Youth Chamber Orchestra of TURKSOY took the scene in UNESCO Headquarters in Paris as well as in the world famous Musikverein in the city of Vienna in Austria and in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia &nbsp;with concerts dedicated to the 25th anniversary of TURKSOY. The orchestra which takes the scene under its young talented conductor Maestro Mustafa Mehmandarov from Azerbaijan regularly performs together with world famous &nbsp;soloists and goes on tour in various cities of the world.

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Youth Chamber Orchestra of TURKSOY

It is with deep sorrow that I have been informed of the passing of Rosa Aitmatova, the esteemed sister of the great author Chingis Aitmatov, an illustrious personality of the Turkic world and a precious intellectual who dedicated her life to science, education and the preservation of cultural memory.&nbsp;Throughout her 89-year life marked by hardship yet no less honourable, Rosa Aitmatova did not only make unique contributions to the Kyrgyz education system and the struggle for women’s rights. Through her writing and stance, she also voiced the historical suffering experienced by her father, Törökul Aytmatov, and her family’s past, which others sought to silence.&nbsp;For us, Mrs. Aitmatova was not only the legacy of our great author Chingis Aitmatov but also a hero who wholeheartedly believed in the cultural unity of the Turkic World. Her participation in activities organised by TURKSOY, with unwavering enthusiasm despite her advancing years, the invaluable support she provided to our Organisation’s work, and the profound knowledge and experience she shared with us will never fade from our memories. We shall always miss her gracious and enlightened presence at events organized by TURKSOY.&nbsp;May Almighty God bless her soul with his mercy. May Rosa Aitmatova, one of the shared values of the Turkic World rest in peace and may her resting place be paradise.&nbsp;&nbsp;On this sorrowful day, I hereby extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved Aitmatov family, her beloved ones, our kindred Kyrgyz people and the entire Turkic World.&nbsp;Sultan RaevSecretary General of TURKSOY

TURKSOY Secretary General Raev issued a condolence message for the passing of Roza Aitmatova.

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Condolence message of Secretary General Sultan Raev for the passing of Roza Aitmatova

Within the framework of the Kyrgyz Culture Day, a delegation of TURKSOY headed by its Secretary General Sultan Raev visited the statues of illustrious personalities of the Turkic World at the Hungarikum Liget on October 24th, 2026 and laid flowers at the pedestals thereof.&nbsp;The visit, which took place at the Pantheon of Peoples Related to the Hungarians, was attended by Sándor Lezsák, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lakitelek Foundation, Dr. Anna Molnárné Lezsák, a Member of the Hungarian Parliament, Mr. Nurbek Talantbekov, the Director of the Kyrgyz National Manas Theatre and Kyrgyz artists along with representatives of embassies of Turkic states in Hungary as well as other guests.&nbsp;To commemorate these illustrious figures who have shaped the literature and culture of the Turkic World and pay tribute to their great legacies, members of the delegation paid their respects by laying flowers at the statues of Nizami Ganjavi, Abay Kunanbayev, Sayakbay Karalayev, Ali Sher Navoi, Yunus Emre and Magtumguly Fragi.&nbsp;During the visit, which was also attended by Kyrgyz artists, the legacy of the great Manaschi Sayakbay Karalayev who played a significant role in the transmission of the Manas Epic from one generation to the next was also honoured.&nbsp;&nbsp;The visit complemented the aim of the Kyrgyz Culture Day to preserve the shared cultural memory and passing it on to future generations.

Tribute to illustrious personalities of the Turkic World at the at the Hungarikum Liget in Lakitelek

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Illustrious personalities of the Turkic World were honoured in Lakitelek

The traditional Kyrgyz nomadic “yurta” donated by the Kyrgyz National Manas Theatre to the Lakitelek Foundation upon initiative of TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, was opened to the public with a ceremony held on October 24th, 2026 at the Hungarikum Liget in the town of Lakitelek, Hungary.&nbsp;The ceremony, held as part of the Kyrgyz Culture Day, was attended by TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, Mr. Sándor Lezsák, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lakitelek Foundation, representatives of the embassies of Turkic states in Hungary, and many guests.&nbsp;Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Sándor Lezsák who expressed his gratitude to Secretary General Raev and the Kyrgyz National Manas Theatre for bringing this meaningful gift to Hungarikum Liget further &nbsp;noted that the “Yurta” will remain open to visitors as a gift from the Kyrgyz people to the Hungarian people, and stated that it will serve as a lasting symbol of friendship between the two nations.&nbsp;Reflecting the Kyrgyz nomadic way of life with its wooden frame and felt covering, the “yurta” tent serves not only as a dwelling but also as a living space where family life, hospitality and traditional handicrafts converge. Installed at the &nbsp;Hungarikum Liget, the yurta will offer visitors the opportunity to experience this cultural heritage at first-hand.&nbsp;Following Mr. Sándor Lezsák’s speech, the yurta was officially inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony also featuring epics and poems performed by Kyrgyz artists along with pieces accompanied by the traditional Kyrgyz komuz instrument. At the event featuring music and oral tradition, guests visited the yurt and got acquainted with the traditional living space of the Kyrgyz people.&nbsp;The opening ceremony where participants were also offered dried fruits and traditional Kyrgyz delicacies became a gathering where visitors experienced Kyrgyz culture through its architecture, music and hospitality.&nbsp;The “yurta” built at the Hungarikum Liget upon initiative of Secretary General Sultan Raev &nbsp;will continue to welcome visitors as a token of friendship from the Kyrgyz people to the Hungarian people.

The traditional Kyrgyz nomadic “yurta” donated by the Kyrgyz National Manas Theatre to the Lakitelek Foundation was inaugurated with a ceremony held  at the Hungarikum Liget in the town of Lakitelek in Hungary.



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Traditional Kyrgyz Yurta opened to visitors in Hungary

Ziya Gökalp, the great author, sociologist and poet who made significant contributions to the philosophy and literature of the Turkic World, was commemorated at his grave with a ceremony held in Çemberlitaş, Istanbul, on the 102nd anniversary of his passing.&nbsp;Organised by the Istanbul Branch of Turkish Cultural Centers (“Türk Ocakları”) with the support of various civil society organisations, the commemoration &nbsp;took place at the Cemetery &nbsp;of the Sultan Mahmud II Mausoleum and was attended by the grandchildren of Ziya Gökalp along with the representative of the Republic of Türkiye to TURKSOY, Assoc. Prof. Dr. A. Kutalmış Yalçın, and &nbsp;many guests.&nbsp;The commemoration organised by the Aydınlar Ocağı, the Federation of Syrian Turkmen Associations, the Iraqi Turkmen Culture and Mutual Aid Association, the Istanbul Crimean Tatar Association, Mefkûre Mektebi, the Centre for National Thought, the Association of Nationalist Scholars, the Umay Ana Association of Women of the Turkic World, RUBASAM, the Foundation of Turkic World Studies and the March 14th Association of Medicine Students.With the ceremony, which began with a reading of the Holy Qur’an, tribute was paid to the legacy left by Ziya Gökalp to Turkish intellectual and cultural life with respect and gratitude. At the commemoration, “halva”, a dish prepared with butter, sugar and semolina flour and traditionally served following burial or posthumous commemoration ceremonies, was served to the participants in honour of the late scholar’s cherished memory.&nbsp;Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın, the representative of the Republic of Türkiye to TURKSOY, emphasised that Ziya Gökalp was not merely an author and philosopher, but also a multifaceted intellectual whose ideas&nbsp;as a &nbsp;sociologist and poet made significant contributions to the field of folklore.&nbsp;In his speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın conveyed the commemorative message of TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev to the participants, drawing attention to Ziya Gökalp and the special importance of his legacy in the shared cultural and intellectual heritage of the Turkic World. Recalling that 2026 was declared as the ‘Commemorative Year of Ziya Gökalp’ by TURKSOY, Mr. Yalçın further noted that this decision was taken within the framework of the 41st and 42nd sessions of the Permanent Council of TURKSOY upon proposal of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye.&nbsp;Reminding of the crowds that gathered in the same region 102 years ago following Ziya Gökalp’s passing, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın expressed his appreciation as to the fact &nbsp;that the great philosopher’s ideas are still being kept alive despite the fact that a century has passed since his death.&nbsp;Ziya Gökalp, who played a significant role in shaping the shared cultural identity of the Turkic World, continues to inspire new generations through the works and ideas he left behind.

Ziya Gökalp, the great author, sociologist, philosopher and poet of the Turkic World, was commemorated at his grave on the 102nd anniversary of his passing.



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Ziya Gökalp was commemorated at his grave on the 102nd anniversary of his death

Mr. Sayit Yusuf, the Deputy Secretary General of the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) stated that young Turks living in Europe should familiarise themselves not only with Anatolia but also with the region of Turkestan, which is the primary source of their civilisation.&nbsp;Appearing as a guest on the ‘European Edition’ programme broadcasted on the Kanal Avrupa television channel, Deputy Secretary General Yusuf shared his views on the cultural integration of the Turkic World and the Turkish diaspora in Europe.&nbsp;Describing TURKSOY as “the UNESCO of the Turkic World” and emphasising that TURKSOY has undertaken a cultural mission which has nothing to do with politics, Deputy Secretary General Yusuf added that the Organisation aims at reuniting peoples which were once disconnected from eachother through a cultural bridge.&nbsp;“Being Turkish is not merely a matter of ethnic identity”Recalling that the current year is being celebrated as the “Year of Ziya Gökalp”, Deputy Secretary General Yusuf illustrated the perspective of the Organisation on the Turkic World through Ziya Gökalp’s definition of Turkishness.&nbsp;Stressing that TURKSOY does not view Turkishness as a merely ethnic origin, Deputy Secretary General Yusuf said: “Based on the definition of Turkishness as it is described in Ziya Gökalp’s discourse, we also recognise as Turkish those kindred communities who feel Turkish, behave like Turks, have shared a common destiny with Turks, and share common expectations for the future. At TURKSOY, we are working together with these communities, hence, transcending ethnic boundaries.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Mr. Yusuf also added that schools opened in the Turkic World in the past, thanks to the “Jadidist” movement pioneered by intellectuals such as Ziya Gökalp and Gaspıralı Ismail, laid the foundations of today’s cultural consciousness.&nbsp;Do not underestimate young Turkish people of Europe for the way they speak TurkishDrawing attention to the fact that the Turkish diaspora in Europe is now building a permanent community, Deputy Secretary General Yusuf Yusuf expressed his disapproval of the criticism towards young Turkish people born and raised abroad for their way to speak Turkish language.&nbsp;Stating that language is a living means of communication &nbsp;which is influenced by its geographical context, Deputy Secretary General Yusuf said: “No one has the right to look down on young Turkish people of Europe for the way they speak Turkish as this is about a new synthesis engendering a &nbsp;new culture. What we should really fear is not the change observed in the Turkish language, but young people being driven to crime, becoming assimilated or completely forgetting Turkish language. We say “Yes” to integration, but “No” to assimilation.”&nbsp;‘Turkish’ warning regarding the common alphabet and TV Series SectorDescribing Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s move to align the Uzbek alphabet with the letters used in Turkish as a historic development in terms of the achievement of linguistic unity, Deputy Secretary General Yusuf emphasised Ismail Gasprali’s motto: ‘Unity in language, thought and action’.&nbsp;Touching upon the role of the media in cultural diplomacy, Mr. Yusuf addressed Turkish TV series and film producers, saying: “People in many regions of the world, from the Balkans to North Africa, are learning Turkish from TV series. Screenwriters and producers must bear the responsibility of using the language in its most beautiful and correct form, without distorting it, whilst being aware that they are actually teaching Turkish to wider audiences.”&nbsp;“Young people should explore the Turkic World”Advising Turkish youth in Western Europe to research their roots, Mr. Yusuf stated that young people should not limit their sense of belonging solely to their parents’ hometowns in Anatolia.&nbsp;Deputy Secretary General Yusuf concluded his remarks saying: “Our young people should research Khoja Akhmet Yassawi, Maturidi and Khiva. They must definitely visit Bukhara, Samarkand, Kazan and the Orkhon Valley. While they should draw strength from their past without being bound by it, they should &nbsp;face the future with the strength and richness of their own civilisation. At the heart of Turkish culture lies the tolerance of Yunus Emre, Mevlana and Khoja Akhmet Yassawi. Racism cannot emerge from a nation which grew strong with such a history. The hate speech occasionally seen on social media is largely due to nothing more than disinformation.”

TURKSOY Deputy Secretary General Yusuf: "Young Turks living in Europe should  get acquainted not only with Anatolia but also with  Turkestan, which is the primary source of their civilisation."



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Deputy Secretary General Yusuf calls on Turkish Youth in Europe to embrace the ‘Turkic World

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TÜRKSOY Daimî Konseyi kararı ile 2024 yılı Türk Dünyası Kültür Başkenti Türkmenistan'ın Anev şehri olarak belirlenmiştir.

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TÜRKSOY Daimî Konseyi kararı ile Azerbaycan'ın Şuşa şehri 2023 Türk Dünyası Kültür Başkenti seçilmiştir.

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As an international organization committed to self-improvement and innovation, TURKSOY declares one city of the Turkic World as its Cultural Capital every year. Within this framework, city declared as cultural capital in 2013 was Eskisehir.&nbsp;

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As an international organization committed to self-improvement and innovation, TURKSOY declares one city of the Turkic World as its Cultural Capital every year. Within this framework, city declared as cultural capital in 2014 was Kazan.&nbsp;

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As an international organization committed to self-improvement and innovation, TURKSOY declares one city of the Turkic World as its Cultural Capital every year. Within this framework, city declared as cultural capital in 2015 was Merv.&nbsp;

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Merv

As an international organization committed to self-improvement and innovation, TURKSOY declares one city of the Turkic World as its Cultural Capital every year. Within this framework, city declared as cultural capital in 2016 was Sheki.&nbsp;

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Sheki

As an international organization committed to self-improvement and innovation, TURKSOY declares one city of the Turkic World as its Cultural Capital every year. Within this framework, city declared as cultural capital in 2018 was Kastamonu.&nbsp;

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As an international organization committed to self-improvement and innovation, TURKSOY declares one city of the Turkic World as its Cultural Capital every year. Within this framework, city declared as cultural capital in 2017 was Turkistan.&nbsp;

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Turkistan

Through artistic events and cultural partnerships, TURKSOY keeps our shared cultural memory alive—creating spaces where artists can express themselves and enabling new works to emerge..

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TURKSOY carries the culture and arts of the Turkic World into the future.

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TÜRKSOY’s activities in 2026 are dedicated to the great Turkish thinker Ziya Gökalp on the 130th anniversary of his birth.

TÜRKSOY’s activities in 2026 are dedicated to the great Turkish thinker Ziya Gökalp on the 130th anniversary of his birth.

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Ziya Gökalp

Uluslararası Türk Kültürü Taşkilatı Tanıtım Filmi-TÜRKSOY

The ‘Kyrgyz Culture Day’ Hosted by the Lakitelek Foundation, coordinated by TÜRKSOY and supported by the Kyrgyz National Manas Theatre &nbsp;took place &nbsp;in the town of Lakitelek in Hungary.The event held at the Hungarikum Liget featured an introduction of &nbsp;the Kyrgyz people’s oral traditions, literature and art with epic recitals, performances by Kyrgyz folk bards, book presentations and a photography exhibition, thus contributing to the strengthening of cultural ties between Kyrgyzstan and Hungary.Held in the presence of TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, the &nbsp;Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Hungary H. E. Mr. Erlan Abdyldaev, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lakitelek Foundation Mr. Sándor Lezsák, a Member of the Hungarian Parliament Dr. Anna Lezsák Molnárné, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hungary Mr. Kairat Kambarov, Mr. Emin Alasgarlı, Consul at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Hungary and Mr. Gökberk Ekinci,the &nbsp;Third Secretary at the Embassy of Türkiye in Budapest along with many other guests.Speaking at the opening of the event, TURKSOY Secretary General Raev stressed the importance of the fact that poems by Alykul Osmonov who was one of the leading figures of Kyrgyz literature now reached Hungarian readers. Referring to the legacy of the poet, whose 110th birthday was celebrated in 2025, Secretary General Raev emphasised that literary translations promote our shared cultural heritage in new regions of the Turkic World.Secretary General Raev also expressed his gratitude to&nbsp; Mr. Dávid Somfai Kara, who translated Osmonov’s poems into Hungarian, and to Mrs. Aida Somfai Pamirbek, who served as the proofreader and editor of the work.The event also featured the presentation of a collection of poems by Osmonov *Tó hulláma*, published in Kyrgyz and Hungarian by Konzervatív Műhely Kiadó, alongside Habib Kohi’s work *Tales of the Silk Road*.In the cultural part of the event where the Manas singer Beksultan Imashov and the epic narrator Mariyam Tobokelova were also present, Mr. Nurbek Talantbekov, the Director of the Kyrgyz National Manas Theatre, recited an excerpt from the “Manas Epic” while Kutman Sadıbakasov, Nursultan Maldıbayev and Argen Biymırza Uulu presented examples of Kyrgyz oral tradition.The event also featured the opening of an exhibition of photographs taken by Sándor Ujvári during his visit to Kyrgyzstan&nbsp; organised for students participating in the Ármin Vámbéry Camp.&nbsp;Medals of TURKSOY&nbsp;At end of the ceremony, the &nbsp; Medal of TURKSOY was handed over to Mrs. Gabriela Lezsák and Dr. Judit Kisfaludi-Bak in recognition of their contributions to cultural ties between the Turkic World and Hungary.The medals were handed over by TURKSOY Secretary General Raev to Mrs. Lezsák in recognition of her commitment to the preservation of traditional folk dances and the safeguarding of cultural heritage, and to Dr. Kisfaludi-Bak in recognition of her contribution to the promotion of the cultural heritage of the Turkic World in Hungary.Held with the support of the Kyrgyz National Manas Theatre, the ‘Kyrgyz Culture Day’ hosted by the Lakitelek Foundation and coordinated by TURKSOY took place in the town of Lakitelek in Hungary. &nbsp;The event held at the Hungarikum Liget featured an introduction of &nbsp;the Kyrgyz people’s oral traditions, literature and art with epic recitals, performances by Kyrgyz folk bards, book presentations and a photography exhibition, thus contributing to the strengthening of cultural ties between Kyrgyzstan and Hungary.&nbsp;Held in the presence of TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, the &nbsp;Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Hungary H. E. Mr. Erlan Abdyldaev, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lakitelek Foundation Mr. Sándor Lezsák, a Member of the Hungarian Parliament Dr. Anna Lezsák Molnárné, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hungary Mr. Kairat Kambarov, Mr. Emin Alasgarlı, Consul at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Hungary and Mr. Gökberk Ekinci,the &nbsp;Third Secretary at the Embassy of Türkiye in Budapest along with many other guests.&nbsp;Speaking at the opening of the event, TURKSOY Secretary General Raev stressed the importance of the fact that poems by Alykul Osmonov who was one of the leading figures of Kyrgyz literature now reached Hungarian readers. Referring to the legacy of the poet, whose 110th birthday was celebrated in 2025, Secretary General Raev emphasised that literary translations promote our shared cultural heritage in new regions of the Turkic World.Secretary General Raev also expressed his gratitude to&nbsp; Mr. Dávid Somfai Kara, who translated Osmonov’s poems into Hungarian, and to Mrs. Aida Somfai Pamirbek, who served as the proofreader and editor of the work.&nbsp;The event also featured the presentation of a collection of poems by Osmonov *Tó hulláma*, published in Kyrgyz and Hungarian by Konzervatív Műhely Kiadó, alongside Habib Kohi’s work *Tales of the Silk Road*.&nbsp;In the cultural part of the event where the Manas singer Beksultan Imashov and the epic narrator Mariyam Tobokelova were also present, Mr. Nurbek Talantbekov, the Director of the Kyrgyz National Manas Theatre, recited an excerpt from the “Manas Epic” while Kutman Sadıbakasov, Nursultan Maldıbayev and Argen Biymırza Uulu presented examples of Kyrgyz oral tradition.&nbsp;The event also featured the opening of an exhibition of photographs taken by Sándor Ujvári during his visit to Kyrgyzstan&nbsp; organised for students participating in the Ármin Vámbéry Camp.&nbsp;&nbsp;Medals of TURKSOY&nbsp;At end of the ceremony, the &nbsp; Medal of TURKSOY was handed over to Mrs. Gabriela Lezsák and Dr. Judit Kisfaludi-Bak in recognition of their contributions to cultural ties between the Turkic World and Hungary.&nbsp;The medals were handed over by TURKSOY Secretary General Raev to Mrs. Lezsák in recognition of her commitment to the preservation of traditional folk dances and the safeguarding of cultural heritage, and to Dr. Kisfaludi-Bak in recognition of her contribution to the promotion of the cultural heritage of the Turkic World in Hungary.

Hosted by the Lakitelek Foundation and coordinated by TURKSOY, the ‘Kyrgyz Culture Day’ took place in the town of Lakitelek in Hungary with the support of the Kyrgyz National Manas Theatre.

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Kyrgyz Culture Day held in Hungary

The Fifth Meeting of the Association of Museums of TURKSOY (AMT) took place in the historic city of Andijan, the ‘Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026’. The meeting ended with the handover of the presidency of the Association to Türkiye for 2027.&nbsp;The meeting, held at the Office of the Governor of Andijan, was attended by country coordinators of the Association of Museums of TURKSOY from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia (Moldova), as well as Şevket Artikov, the Representative of Uzbekistan to TURKSOY, Elyor Holmirzayev, a representative of the Office of the Governor of Andijan, Dilobar Mirhusanova, a representative of the Cultural Heritage Agency of Uzbekistan and Bora Dündar, the Deputy Director General for Cultural Assets and Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye.&nbsp;The meeting, chaired by Prof. Dr. Jannat Ismailova, Chairperson of the AMT and Director of the State History Museum of Uzbekistan, began with welcoming addresses by the institutional representatives. Dr. Barış Cavid Mövsümlü, Head of Department at TURKSOY and General Coordinator of the AMT, then briefed the participants on members of the association as well as on activities carried out in 2026 and items on the &nbsp;agenda of the meeting.&nbsp;At the meeting, which went on with a mutual exchange of views, suggestions of country coordinators regarding cooperation activities to be carried out in 2027 were also discussed. Topics discussed &nbsp;pertained to the &nbsp;strengthening of institutional ties between museums of the Turkic World as well as to the &nbsp;development of &nbsp;joint projects and further cooperation on the preservation of cultural heritage.&nbsp;While participants of the meeting expressed their appreciation as to the high-level organisation of the Fifth Museums’ Gathering of the Turkic World in Andijan on &nbsp;October 19th–20th, 2026, they also extended their gratitude to the Governorate of Andijan, which hosted the event as well as to the Cultural Heritage Agency of Uzbekistan, the State History Museum of Uzbekistan and TURKSOY.&nbsp;&nbsp;Presidency of the AMT transferred to TürkiyeThe meeting ended with the traditional handover ceremony for the presidency of the Association of Museums of TURKSOY. While the 2026 Chair, Prof. Dr. Jannat Ismailova, handed over the &nbsp;Chairmanship of the Association to Türkiye. During the handover ceremony, Prof. Dr Ismailova presented the Golden Plate of Andijan – one of Andijan’s symbolic treasures – to Mr. Bora Dündar, the Deputy Director General for Cultural Assets and Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye.&nbsp;The Association of Museums of TURKSOY further pursues its activities aiming at the preservation of the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic World, the enhancement of the exchange of knowledge and experience among museums, and the development of joint cultural projects.

The Fifth Meeting of the Association of Museums of TURKSOY (AMT) held in Andijan, the ‘Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026’ ended with the handover of the presidency of the Association to Türkiye for 2027.



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Fifth Meeting of the Association of Museums of TURKSOY held in Andijan

Performed at the closing ceremony of the Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in the city of Andijan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz production “A Poem on Destiny” (If You Were to Come and Go to Osh) was awarded the “Grand Prix” (Best Play) which is the &nbsp;highest honour of the festival.&nbsp;Produced by the National Drama Theatre of Osh named after Sultan Ibraimov, the play written by the Kyrgyz People’s Author Arslan Kapay Uulu Koyçiyev was directed by Kyrgyz People’s Artist Ulanmırza Karıpbayev.&nbsp;The two-hour drama gives the audience an insight into the harsh rural life of Kyrgyz villages in the 1940s: a tragic human life, shaped against the backdrop of political oppression, environmental issues and the devastating effects of the Second World War. The plot of the play recounts the stroy of Mukay, who is taken prisoner by the Germans during the war and is forced to live in foreign lands for the rest of his life.&nbsp;Unjustly branded a ‘traitor’ in his own homeland, and always viewed as a ‘foreigner’ in the lands where he sought refuge, Mukay is sustained by a single truth: the pure love he left behind in a distant Kyrgyz village—a love that neither time nor distance could erase. The storms raging within a person’s inner world in the face of the war’s ruthlessness, the longing for one’s homeland and the sense of being unable to reunite are conveyed to the audience in a very simple, yet powerful manner.&nbsp;Busy agenda for the jury’s deliberationsWhile members of the jury engaged in a lengthy discussion to evaluate the performances held at the festival, Ulanmırza Karıpbayev, emerged as the strongest contender for the ‘Best Director’ award thanks to his highly successful direction of the large cast on stage and his flawless conveyance of the work’s emotional core to the audience.&nbsp;Following hours of deliberation by the jury, it was decided that, thanks to Karypbayev’s outstanding achievement, the production had reached the absolute pinnacle of the festival, and the production was deemed worthy of the festival’s highest honour, the “Grand Prix” (Best Play) award. The highly contested “Best Director” award, meanwhile, was presented to Nurkanat Jakıpbay of the Astana Jastar Theatre for her work on the play *Jibek*.&nbsp;Masters of theater on stageThe stage design of the play, which captivated audiences with its visual and auditory richness, was created by Sadyr Niyazakunov, holder of the title ‘Best Theatre Designer of the Turkic World’, whilst the choreography was by Rezeda Gayanova from St. Petersburg.&nbsp;The cast, featuring a wide range of accomplished actors was composed of Ilgiz Orozobek uulu as the young Mukay and Talant Apıev, a People’s Artist of Kyrgyzstan, as the elderly Mukay and Begayım Asanakunova as Jamal, whilst Ayperi Kulbaeva, a Meritorious Artist of Kyrgyzstan, took the scene as Kayberen.&nbsp;Directed by Kerimbek Kalykulov, this emotional performance by the National Drama Theatre of Osh named after Sultan Ibraimov held at the closing event of the festival received standing ovations from the audience in Andijan.

The Kyrgyz production “A Poem on Destiny” was awarded the “Grand Prix” of the Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in the city of Andijan, Uzbekistan.



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"A Poem on Destiny" : Best Play Award for the closing performance of the Fourth Theatre Festival of TURKSOY

The Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in Uzbekistan within the framework of events to celebrate Andijan, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026 ended with a grand closing event and awards ceremony at the Musical Drama Theatre of Andijan.&nbsp;Organised in cooperation of TURKSOY with the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan and the Regional Administration of Andijan between &nbsp;October 19th-22nd, 2026, the festival &nbsp;featured theatre ensembles from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev thanked the President of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Culture and the Regional Administration of Andijan for their support in organising the festival. Highlighting the hospitality of the Uzbek people and their interest in arts, Secretary General Raev emphasised that each participating country presented its finest stage productions and enhanced the prestige of the festival.Mr. Elyor Holmirzayev, the Director of the Secretariat of the Regional Administration of Andijan expressed his gratitude to all ensembles on behalf of the regional administration and stressed his strong pride to host such significant cultural events thanks to the initiative &nbsp;within the framework of which Andijan was declared as Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026.&nbsp;Medals of TURKSOY handed over to masters of theatreAt the event, Medals of TURKSOY were awarded to Mrs. Aziza Begmatova, an actress of the State Drama Theatre of Uzbekistan and People’s Artist of Uzbekistan, Mr. Bekzod Hamidov, the Director of the Musical Drama Theatre of Andijan and Mr. Janysh Kulmambetov, a People’s Author of Kyrgyzstan, playwright and member of the international jury, in recognition of their successful work in the fields of culture and arts as well as of their contributions to the festival. Whilst Medals of TURKSOY were handed over by Secretary General Sultan Raev, Mr. Shavkat Ortikov, the &nbsp;Representative of Uzbekistan to TURKSOY presented special certificates of appreciation of the the festival and souvenirs to the heads of the participating delegations.&nbsp;The Grand Prix went to KyrgyzstanAt the award ceremony of the event honouring the shared historical and cultural values of the Turkic world on stage, the “Grand Prix”, i.e. the highest award of the festival, went to Kyrgyzstan. Following deliberations of the jury, individuals, organisations and works deemed worthy of the award at the festival were listed as follows:&nbsp;Best Play (Grand Prix): Sultan Ibraimov - National Drama Theatre of Osh – “A Poem on Destiny” (If You Were to Come and Go to Osh)Best Director: Nurkanat Jakıpbay (Astana Jastar Theatre – “Jibek”)Best Play on the Theme of Peace, Humanism and Friendship: State Academic Drama Theatre of Turkmenistan named after Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi &nbsp;&nbsp;– “The White Horse”Best Stage Design: Azerbaijan State Pantomime Theatre – “The Devil”Best Innovative Form: Uzbekistan State Drama Theatre – “Leyli and Majnoon”Special Award &nbsp;of the Jury for &nbsp;the Best Short-Form Play: Toktogul Acıbayev Alay Musical Drama Theatre – ‘Hasret’Special Award of the Jury for the Best Staged Interpretation of Historical Memory: Andijan Region Musical Drama Theatre – ‘Babur: Longing’&nbsp;The closing ceremony of the festival was highlighted by traditional music and dance performances of local artists who took the scene following the awards ceremony and featured the announcement that the Fifth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY to take place in 2027 will be held in the city of Kayseri, in Türkiye.

The Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in Andijan, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026 ended with a grand closing event and awards ceremony at the Musical Drama Theatre of Andijan.



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The Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY ended with an Awards Ceremony in Andijan

The Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in Uzbekistan within the framework of events to celebrate Andijan, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026 ended with a grand closing event and awards ceremony at the Musical Drama Theatre of Andijan.&nbsp;Organised in cooperation of TURKSOY with the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan and the Regional Administration of Andijan between &nbsp;October 19th-22nd, 2026, the festival &nbsp;featured theatre ensembles from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.&nbsp;Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev thanked the President of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Culture and the Regional Administration of Andijan for their support in organising the festival. Highlighting the hospitality of the Uzbek people and their interest in arts, Secretary General Raev emphasised that each participating country presented its finest stage productions and enhanced the &nbsp;prestige of the festival.&nbsp;Mr. Elyor Holmirzayev, the Director of the Secretariat of the Regional Administration of Andijan expressed his gratitude to all ensembles on behalf of the regional administration and stressed his strong pride to host such significant cultural events thanks to the initiative &nbsp;within the framework of which Andijan was declared as Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026.&nbsp;Medals of TURKSOY handed over to masters of theatreAt the event, Medals of TURKSOY were awarded to Mrs. Aziza Begmatova, an actress of the State Drama Theatre of Uzbekistan and People’s Artist of Uzbekistan, Mr. Bekzod Hamidov, the Director of the Musical Drama Theatre of Andijan and Mr. Janysh Kulmambetov, a People’s Author of Kyrgyzstan, playwright and member of the international jury, in recognition of their successful work in the fields of culture and arts as well as of their contributions to the festival. Whilst Medals of TURKSOY were handed over by Secretary General Sultan Raev, Mr. Shavkat Ortikov, the &nbsp;Representative of Uzbekistan to TURKSOY presented special certificates of appreciation of the the festival and souvenirs to the heads of the participating delegations.&nbsp;The Grand Prix went to KyrgyzstanAt the award ceremony of the event honouring the shared historical and cultural values of the Turkic world on stage, the “Grand Prix”, i.e. the highest award of the festival, went to Kyrgyzstan.&nbsp;&nbsp;Following deliberations of the jury, individuals, organisations and works deemed worthy of the award at the festival were listed as follows:&nbsp;Best Play (Grand Prix): Sultan Ibraimov - National Drama Theatre of Osh – “A Poem on Destiny” (If You Were to Come and Go to Osh)Best Director: Nurkanat Jakıpbay (Astana Jastar Theatre – “Jibek”)Best Play on the Theme of Peace, Humanism and Friendship: State Academic Drama Theatre of Turkmenistan named after Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi &nbsp;&nbsp;– “The White Horse”Best Stage Design: Azerbaijan State Pantomime Theatre – “The Devil"Best Innovative Form: Uzbekistan State Drama Theatre – “Leyli and Majnoon”Special Award &nbsp;of the Jury for &nbsp;the Best Short-Form Play: Toktogul Acıbayev Alay Musical Drama Theatre – ‘Hasret’Special Award of the Jury for the Best Staged Interpretation of Historical Memory: Andijan Region Musical Drama Theatre – ‘Babur: Longing’&nbsp;The &nbsp;closing ceremony of the festival was highlighted by traditional music and dance performances of local artists who took the scene following the awards ceremony and featured the announcement that the Fifth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY to take place in 2027 will be held in the city of Kayseri, in Türkiye.

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Awards' ceremony of the the Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held  in Andijan

&nbsp;Gathering leading women from the Turkic World, the Third International Women’s Workshop of the Turkic World began with the opening of a &nbsp;special art exhibition of TURKSOY on ‘Women in the Turkic World’ in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia.&nbsp;Under the coordination of the Umay Ana Women’s Association of the Turkic World, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, the International Organisation for Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), as well as other partner organisations, the workshop created an important platform to discuss the role of women in the Turkic World in the fields of science, culture, art, education and social life.&nbsp;The exhibition held at the workshop reflected the pioneering role played by Turkish women throughout history, their contributions to the preservation of cultural heritage and their strong position in social life through the universal language of art. The exhibition which &nbsp;highlighted the shared cultural values of the Turkic World through art, hosted a meaningful gathering which reflected the life, work and productivity of Turkish women from past to present.&nbsp;The opening session of the workshop was attended by H.E. Mr. Alper Aktaş, the &nbsp;Ambassador of Türkiye to Skopje, Prof. Dr. Mualla Uydu Yücel, the President of the Umay Ana Association of Women of the Turkic World (TURKKAB), Mrs. Görkem Çetin, Solicitor and Secretary General of TURKDEV, Mr. Fuad Uçar, the Secretary General of the World Union of Meskhetian Turks, TURKSOY Expert Mehbare Şahin, representing TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, Mr. Yunus Dilber, the Representative of the Yunus Emre Institute in Skopje, Mr. Erdoğan Saraç, the President of the Turkish National Unity Movement of North Macedonia, Mr. &nbsp;Zülfikar Zeynula, the President of the Turkish Democratic Party and the MP Dr. Beycan Ilyas.&nbsp;The opening speeches stressed the importance of women’s contributions to social development, the preservation of cultural heritage and the transmission of shared values to future generations across the Turkic World.&nbsp;The two-day workshop, which brings together scholars, researchers and representatives of civil society organisations from various countries, will end following seven sessions.

The Third International Women’s Workshop of the Turkic World began in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, with the opening of a  special art exhibition of TURKSOY on ‘Women in the Turkic World’.



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Third International Women’s Workshop of the Turkic World in Skopje

The play “Babur. Longing…” (Bobur. Sog’inch…) written by Usmon Azim was performed at the International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in the city of Andijan, Uzbekistan.&nbsp;Focusing on the life of Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, one of the historical figures of the Uzbek people, the play featured Zafarbek Sayburhanov in the lead role of Babur while Malika Satimova portrayed the character of Mohimbegim. The extensive cast of the performance also included names such as Ilhomcan Musayev and Murat Satimov.&nbsp;Dealing with Babur’s boundless love for his homeland, the play depicting Babur’s human virtues through striking historical events also conveyed his roles as a ruler and poet, but also his identities as a geographer, historian, naturalist and philosopher to the audience. His forgiveness of Melike Baydu—the mother of his enemy, Ibrahim Lûdî—despite the fact that she poisoned him, out of respect for her as a mother, and his self-sacrifice to save the life of his heir, Hümayun Mirza, during the latter’s serious illness, are portrayed in a dramatic manner.&nbsp;Reflecting the profound longing of a great statesman for his homeland, the play garnered great acclaim from festival participants for its educational and instructive nature conveying the importance of patriotism to future generations.

The play “Babur. Longing…” (Bobur. Sog’inch…) written by Usmon Azim was performed at the International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in the city of Andijan, Uzbekistan.



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Performance of Usmon Azim's masterpiece ‘Babur. Longing...” in Andijan

The Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in the city of Andijan, in Uzbekistan featured a performance of the monodrama entitled ‘Kusa’ (Longing) by the Musical Drama Theatre named after Toktogul Acybaiev Alay.&nbsp;Written by Kyrgyz People’s Author Kanybek Imanaliyev, the play was directed by the Kyrgyz People’s Artist Ulanmyrza Karypbayev. Performed by the Kyrgyz People’s Artist Alymkul Isakov, the play was strongly appreciated by the audience for its powerful narrative.&nbsp;Focusing on respect and reverence for mothers, the production emphasised the eternal character of the love between a mother and her child and conveyed the message that humanity can only endure if this love continues to live on in the hearts of future generations. Whilst fathers play a significant role in the survival of the human race, the idea that the unique power of a mother’s heart is far more sublime in preserving and sustaining future generations is deeply conveyed to the audience through the play’s dramatic structure.&nbsp;Taking the scene for this striking solo performance, the famous Kyrgyz actor Alymkul Isakov who single-handedly commanded the stage, captivated the audience with his moving performance depicting a mother’s sublime love and self-sacrifice while creating deeply emotive moments fort he audience.

The Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in the city of Andijan, in Uzbekistan featured a performance of the monodrama entitled ‘Kusa’ (Longing) by the Musical Drama Theatre named after Toktogul Acybaiev Alay.



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The famous  actor Alymkul Isakov took to the scene in Andijan with  the monodrama ‘Longing’

The play ‘Ak At’ (The White Horse) was performed by the State Academic Drama Theatre of Turkmenistan named after the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi at the Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in the city of Andijan in Uzbekistan.&nbsp;The play, written by Baba Annanov was directed by Mekan Jumabayev along with Nurberdi Hojayev, the artistic director of the theatre and Honoured Worker of Arts of Turkmenistan and featured a large cast with Mayagül Annayeva, a People’s Artist of Turkmenistan as “Cemal”, Gülalek Akmyradova, a People’s Artist of Turkmenistan as “Nazyra” and Begenç Garlyyev as “Alisher”.&nbsp;The dramatic plot of the play focuses on the great earthquake disaster which struck Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, in 1948, and the intertwining fates of two families. The story begins when Azat, the young son of the horse trainer Gurban—who was trapped under the rubble—is rescued and taken to Uzbekistan. Nazyra, an Uzbek woman who adopts the child from an orphanage, names him Alisher. Events unfold when Jemal, his biological mother, who survived the earthquake with serious injuries and regained her memory years later, sets out to find her son.&nbsp;The jury of the festival highlighted the emotional and human depth of the play dealing with the devastating earthquake which struck Ashgabat in 1948 and the solidarity between the two peoples. Jury member Janysh Kulmambetov emphasised the production’s success in conveying the tragedy caused by the disaster to the audience and its universal themes; whilst Beibit Bakhtygereyev commended the work for its impressive description of human nature, self-sacrifice and suffering through powerful components of classical dramaturgy.&nbsp;Jury member Gavhar Zakirova noted that the play’s true strength lies in its roots in real life, stating that author Baba Annanow’s inspiration from the true life story of Alisher—who migrated from Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan and was raised by an Uzbek mother—imparts a unique spirit to the work. Feride Celilova remarked that the profound grief experienced by the two mothers and their love for their children were portrayed on stage with an extremely touching, human warmth. Agamyrat Baltayev, a Turkmen jury member, emphasised that this harrowing story symbolised the historic friendship between the Turkmen and Uzbek peoples, solidarity in difficult times, and a shared destiny in the face of suffering.&nbsp;The play ‘Ak At’ &nbsp;skillfully recounted the tragedy caused by a natural disaster while evoking emotional moments for the audience through the philosophy that ‘a mother understands a mother’s language’, hence, securing its place among the festival’s most memorable performances.

The State Academic Drama Theatre of Turkmenistan named after the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi took the scene with the play ‘Ak At’ at the Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in Andijan.

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‘Ak At’, a play recounting the tragedy of the Ashgabat earthquake at the Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY in Andijan

The Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in the city of Andijan in Uzbekistan featured a wonderful performance of the play “Leyli and Majnoon” by the Uzbekistan State Drama Theatre.&nbsp;Adapted from Ali Sher Navo’i’s famous masnavi, the production featured Hayriddin Sultan, the People’s Author of Uzbekistan, as literary consultant, and Alimcan Salimov as artistic director. Portraying love as a power which liberates the human soul from the bondage of the self and leads to spiritual freedom, the production uses the character of Majnoon to convey the journey from human love to divine love in an aesthetic language.&nbsp;The play’s staging technique and philosophical depth also received extensive praise from the jury of the festival. While jury member Gavhar Zakirova noted that the production achieved flawless cohesion through its music and set design, making it one of the finest productions in Uzbekistan. Beibit Bakhtygereyev emphasised that the work successfully mingled &nbsp;ancient, mystical and post-dramatic theatre and described the reflection of Sufi philosophy, the anonymisation of the actors and the mirrored void set design as an innovative philosophical achievement.&nbsp;Jury member Nurhan Uslu praised the way the theme of divine love was conveyed to the audience through a meditative atmosphere; whilst Feride Celilova expressed her appreciation of the production for its musical structure, reminding of ‘Mugham’ operas, and the tragic dimension of Majnoon’s character. Janysh Kulmambetov criticised the fact that the weight of the text at times overshadowed the physical action, pointing out that a more balanced connection needed to be established between words and physical action. Agamyrat Baltayev, the Turkmen jury member, noted that his colleagues had covered all the key points, adding that the true judgement lay with the public and that the enthusiastic applause the play received was proof of its success.&nbsp;With its Sufi depth, innovative formal explorations and philosophical debates, the play ‘Leyli and Majnoon’ left an indelible mark on the memories of both critics and theatre-goers as one of the most notable productions of the Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY.

The Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in Andijan featured a wonderful performance of the play “Leyli and Majnoon” by the Uzbekistan State Drama Theatre.



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WhatsApp Image 2026-10-21 at 13.47.51

“Leyli and Majnoon” performed by the State Drama Theatre of Uzbekistan in Andijan

Within the framework of the Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in the city of Andijan in Uzbekistan, the Azerbaijan State Pantomime Theatre took the scene with a performance of the play ‘Iblis’ (The Devil).&nbsp;Adapted from the work of Hüseyin Cavid, one of the leading figures in Azerbaijani literature, the play was directed by Behruz Vakifoğlu, an Honoured Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The choreography was set by Sebine Hacıyeva, who also holds the title Honoured Artist.&nbsp;The 60-minute-play which was performed for the first time on on &nbsp;March 11th, 2023 features set and costume designs by Hayyam Samedov with Sebine Hacıyeva (the Devil) and Nurlan Rüstemov (the Chosen One) in the lead roles along with a large cast.&nbsp;Set in a world plagued by war, violence and famine, the play explores the tendency of people to choose a leader for their own dark deeds and shift all responsibility onto him. Depicting the eternal conflict between humanity and the Devil, the production utilises sculptural forms inspired by the works of world-renowned artists such as Francisco Goya, Michelangelo and Auguste Rodin to make the events more vivid and visually striking. Progressing through physical theatre and visual composition, the production poses timeless questions about human nature, responsibility and the struggle between good and evil.&nbsp;Staged at the festival organised between &nbsp;October 18th- 23rd, 2026 in cooperation of TURKSOY with the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan and the Regional Administration of Andijan, the production attracted considerable interest from art lovers and festival attendees.

The Fourth International Theatre Festival of TURKSOY held in the city of Andijan in Uzbekistan, featured a brilliant  performance of the play ‘Iblis’ by the State PantomimeTheatre of Azerbaijan.


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