― 23 марта 2014 г.
The Turkic World came together in Eskisehir
Nowruz Celebrations in the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2013
As one of the most important traditional events annually carried out by TURKSOY, Nowruz Celebrations held in TURKSOY member countries as well as other places of the world gathered millions of spectators in Eskisehir within the framework of closing events of Eskisehir, The Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2013. The celebrations which took place under the motto "300 million people from 30 countries of the Turkic World” featured performances of nearly 500 artists who took the scene in various events organized in different places of the city.
Nowruz: A Celebration to Welcome the Spring Season
Nowruz Celebrations held in Eskisehir within the framework of closing events of The Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2013 once again featured wonderful performances of artists from the Turkic World paying tribute to Nowruz, the common tradition of the Turkic World and intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
The celebrations which officially started in Eskisehir on March 19th, 2014 gathered thousands of spectators who were enchanted by folk songs performed of Orhan Hakalmaz and dances of the Turkic World featuring colourful traditional garments.
Once again, the arrival of spring has been celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm thanks to TURKSOY.
Impressive Official Celebrations
Following the Nowruz Concert held on March 19th, 2014 within the framework of the official Nowruz Celebrations, a Nowruz Parade gathering all contributing artists took place on March 21st, 2014. The colourful parade which raised great joy and enthusiasm among citizens of Eskisehir was led by TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kaseinov and the Governor of Eskisehir Gungor Azim Tuna.
The parade accompanied by the Janissary band ended at the Central Square and was followed by a celebration event which took place in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Prof. Dr. Emrullah Isler, the Minister of Education Prof. Dr. Nabi Avci, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan (RF) Ayrat Sibagatullin as well as MPs of Eskisehir Salih Koca and Ulker Can along with Lieutenenant General Abidin Unal and many other guests.
The opening speeches were followed by the traditional Nowruz ceremony where artists from the Turkic World handed over the "Nowruz Semeni” to protocol members. Later on, TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kaseinov, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Prof. Dr. Emrullah Isler, the Minister of Education Prof. Dr. Nabi Avci, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan (RF) Ayrat Sibagatullin and the Governor of Eskisehir Gungor Azim Tuna as well as other protocol members proceeded with the "egg-tossing” to launch Nowruz celebrations. The latter started with the lighting of the Nowruz fire, followed by iron-forging and jumping over the bonfire. Protocol members then visited the exhibition stands of Turkic countries featuring typical characteristics of their respective cultures.
The Nowruz Celebrations which went on with performances of artists from the Turkic World were broadcasted live in all countries of the latter.
Eskisehir handed over the title of Cultural Capital of the Turkic World to Kazan
The city of Eskisehir which hosted many colourful events during one week to celebrate the nowruz feast as Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2013 handed over this title to Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan (RF) with an impressive ceremony held on March 21st, 2014.
The hanover ceremony held at the Anatolian University and hosted by TURKSOY along with the Governorate of Eskisehir gathered Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Prof. Dr. Emrullah Isler, the Minister of Education of the Republic of Turkey Prof. Dr. Nabi Avci, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan (RF) Ayrat Sibagatullin, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Turkey H.E. Andrey Karlov, the Ambassador of Macedonia to Turkey H.E. Goran Taskovskı, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Turkey H.E. Janseyit Tumebayev, the Secretary General of the National Security Council Muammer Turker, the Director General of the National Radio and Television of Turkey TRT Ibrahim Sahin along with guests from 30 countries of the Turkic World.
The celebrations started with marches of the Janissary Band followed by a parade featuring the flags of countries of the Turkic Worlda and went on with Dede Korkut’s Nowruz Prayer. The closing ceremony of Eskisehir, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2013 which was broadcasted live on TRT Avaz reached out to an audience of 300 million people throughout the Turkic World.
TURKSOY Secretary General who made a speech at the handover ceremony said that the title of Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2013 was born by Eskisehir with great success thanks to the support and contribution of its citizens. Mr. Kaseinov also expressed his conviction about the fact that the city of Kazan will be just as successful in assuming this duty for 2014.
TURKSOY Secretary General who also said that the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World helps preserve and transmit our cultural values to future generations stressed the fact that this is a strong contribution to the promotion of our rich cultural heritage around the world. Prof. kaseinov therefore extended his deepest gratitude to the Governor of Eskisehir Gungor Azim Tuna on behalf of all citizens of Eskisehir as well as to the Agency of the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World and the Minister of Education of the Republic of Turkey Nabi Avcı for their valuable efforts and contribution as well as for their hospitality.
Prof. Kaseinov went on saying:
"The city of Eskisehir which took over the title of Cultural Capital of the Turkic World from Astana has shown great success in all activities it organized throughout the year 2013. As a matter of fact, Eskisehir has hosted so many events in a year and been such a great example of hospitality and generosity, that its contribution to spread Yunus Emre’s universal message of peace to all humanity will never be forgotten. As the meeting point of the Turkic World, Eskisehir has been a unique platform of cultural exchanges and rapprochement throughout 2013, thus not bringing about a unique contribution to the development of not only Turkic culture but also world civilization. I do believe that this will be a strong impetus for the continuation of all the more so enthusiastic and joyful activities in Kazan which will be the very heart of tolerance and friendship as third biggest capital of Russia."
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Emrullah Isler who also attended the ceremony said that further activities will be carried out in Eskisehir this year. Mr. Isler carried on saying:
"Today, we are not only celebrating the Nowruz Feast whic his a tradition of the Turkic World but also hosting the handover ceremony of the title of the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2013 by Eskisehir to Kazan. The Cultural Capital of the Turkic World is an initiative taken by the Heads of States of Turkic Speaking Countries at the 10th Summit which they attended in Istanbul in 2010, and its aim is to explore, develop and preserve the common culture, language, history, art and traditions of Turkic Speaking Peoples and countries through the fostering of ties among them. Within this framework, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2012 was Astana in 2012 followed by Eskisehir in 2013. Now this title will be born by Kazan the capital of Tatarstan. However, although the city of Eskisehir has now given over this title to Kazan, it will further carry out cultural activities. Indeed, we think that all activities carried out to explore our common language, history, architecture, music as well as many other fields are of particular importance when it comes to unveiling the common cultural heritage of the Turkic World. I congratulate Kazan for taking over this title and wish this year to be full of success for the capital of Tatarstan. Let me also stress that it will be a pleasure for us to support Tatarstan and its people in all activities they will be carrying out within this framework."
The Minister of Education of the Republic of Turkey Nabi Avci who also took the floor at the ceremony stressed the fact that unity and solidarity among countries of the Turkic World is the only way to successfully solve their problems and added:
"It is a great honour for us to welcome you in Eskisehir, a beautiful city of our country which features a rich historical heritage and is rapidly growing in many respects. This city of ours which was once qualified as the center of the World by Nasreddin Hodja had taken this title over from Astana and is now gives it over to Kazan. We are all part of a whole. We are not only people who speak the same language but also share a common history, belief and civilization. Our aim is to preserve this unity based on our common cultural and historical roots in the future. We know that the solution to any problem or issue of our nation and territory whatsoever lies in our common history and culture. As a matter of fact, the way leading out of conflicts to peace and turning poverty and problems into prosperity and solutions goes through the common solutions which we will find through our cooperation activities to preserve our common history and culture. Unity and solidarity in language and thought is therefore a major ideal which is dear to our hearts. We will continue carrying out common projects, and above all, establishing common institutions. Indeed, this will be the only way to leave a beautiful heritage behind us and contribute to our common history and vision. Thus, our cooperation activities ranging from education and culture to urban planning will serve our ideal to build a prosperous future for the Turkic World. Cultural activities carried out in Eskisehir, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2013have been a major contribution to the promotion of our cultural heritage throughout the world. This title has created a totally new atmosphere in Eskisehir.”
In the speech he delivered at the closing ceremony of Eskisehir, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2013, the Governor said:
"With all international events it carried out throughout the year, the Agency of Eskişehir the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2013 played a pioneer role in consolidating the unity of the Turkic World. All our efforts were rooted in our strong commitment to carry our common cultural heritage to the future.Today, as we enter a new year with this Nowruz feast symbolyzing the arrival of spring, we see that Eskisehir has become the embodiment of the common commitment of the entire Turkic World. Through more than 250 international events we carried out in this beautiful city, we reached out to the world with our message of peace and solidarity, and we succeeded in doing so thanks to the Turkic World. Geographical borders and names of countries may change, but we are committed to keep our ties alive with our kindred peoples whom we share the same cultural values and traditions with."
The keynote speeches were followed by a show of dance ensembles from countries of the Turkic World as well as of the State Folk Dance Ensemble of the Republic of Turkey. Later on, the handover ceremony was held by TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kaseinov, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Prof. Dr. Emrullah Isler, the Minister of Education of the Republic of Turkey Prof. Dr. Nabi Avci, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan (RF) Ayrat Sibagatullin and the Governor of Eskisehir, Gungor Azim Tuna.
The ceremony was followed by a colourful concert featuring the Crimean singer Jamala and the Turkish singer Kıraç.