After France, Germany, Luxemburg and Lithuania, the painting exhibition of TURKSOY now took place in Milano (Italy) on June 17th, 2011 in the World Culture House upon common initiative of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Municipality of Milan and the Culture Association of Azerbaijan in Italy.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the declaration of independance of the Republics of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan was held in the presence of TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kasseinov, the Director of theDepartment of Cultural Affairs of the Municipality of MilanNovo Umberto Maerna, the Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Milan Refika Nihal Cevik, the Consul General of the Czech Republic in Milan Giorgio Aletti, the Representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Rome Zaur Farhadov, the Representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Rome, along with representatives of other countries’ Embassies in Italy and the President of the "AZERA” Culture Association of Azerbaijan in Italy Mais Nuriyev as well as students from Azerbaijan studying in universities of Milan and art-lovers of Milan.

TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kasseinov who made his opening speech in Italian briefly talked about the "Painting Artists’ Gathering” which is one of TURKSOY’S traditional events and said that this exhibition in Milan was the result of the Painting Artists’ Gathering which has already been organized 13 times before. Kasseinov also said that these Works will be further exhibited accross Europe and extended his gratitude to all organizations and authorities which supported the event.

The Director of theDepartment of Cultural Affairs of the Municipality of MilanNovo Umberto Maernasaid he was very happy and satisfied about his cooperation with TURKSOY.

The Works of art displayed at the exhibition included paintings by famous artists such as Resad Mehdiyev, Memmedhuseyn Huseynov and Murad Allahverdiyev from Azerbaijan, Marat Bekeyev, Kalliola Ahmetjan and Jenis Kakenuli from Kazakhstan, Halida Simova, Jirgal Maturaimov and Adilbek Bayterekov from Kyrgyzstan, Ortikboy Kozokov and Zebiniso Saripova from Uzbekistan, Mehmet Basbug, Bunyamin Kara and Mehtap Ulkucu from Turkey, Murat Hocaguliyev, Rahman Umarov and Recepberdi Muhammedov from Turkmenistan, Turksal Ince, Feryal Sukan, from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Praski Vitti from the Chuvash Republic, Amir Mazitov and Rinat Minnebayev from the Republic of Bashkortostan, Vitaliy Kizlasov and Aleksey Ulturgashev from the Khakass Republic, Andrey Cikacev from the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic, Zufar Gimayev and Rustem Huzin from the Republic of Tatarstan, Aleksandr Tiriskin, Vera Sagan and Sordan Evgeniya Yumanova from thr Tyva Republic, Anatoliy Boyev and Olga Unguranu from the Gagauz Place in Moldova, Ramazan Useynov from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Kakber Kamber from Bulgaria Merima Turbic from Bosnia Herzegovina and Radun Marsenic from Montenegro.

The opening ceremony also featured folk music performances by artists of the Turkic World Music Ensemble of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey displaying melodies fromAzerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistanalong with folk dance performances by the "ORIZON” Dance Troupe of the University of Milan which performed dances fromTurkey, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and the Gagauz Place (RF).

After the concert, TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kasseinov who extended a souvenir from TURKSOY to the Mayor of Milan represented by theDirector of theDepartment of Cultural Affairs of the Municipality of MilanNovo Umberto Maernastressed the fact that the same souvenirs were also offered to the Director General of UNESCO and the President of the General Assembly of the UN. Kaseinov also offered a plaquette to the directors of the Cultur Association of Azerbaijan "AZERA”, and the Dance Troupe "ORIZON” and congratulated the artists for their successful work.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Paintings’ Exhibition of TURKSOY which brought new colours to the cultural scene of Milan took place in the presence of all participants. The opening ceremony of the paintings’ exhibition which was highly appreciated by the guests was followed by a cocktail.

The exhibition will be open until July 3rd, 2011.