― 7 декабря 2014 г.

100th Anniversary of the Birthday of the Uyghur Author Ziya Samedi

The Uyghur author from Kazakhstan Ziya Samedi was commemorated on the 100th anniversary of his birthday. The commemoration meeting took place on December 5th, 2014 in the presence of the Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey Nihat Gul, the Undersecretary of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Turkey Alimkhan Yessengeldiyev, TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kaseinov, the Secretary of the Union of Authors of Kazakhstan Ahmetcan Ashiri, the Chairman of the Union of Eurasian Authors Yakup Omeroglu, the Uyghur journalist from Germany Erkin Alptekin, the senior maecenas and businessman  of Kazakhstan Dilmurat Kuziyev, the author from Kazakhstan Rabik Ismailov, the Kazak poet Dauletbek Baytursınulı, the scholar Alemcan Hamrayev, Ziya Samedi’s son Rıza Samedi and daughter  Bilkyz Samedi, Prof. Dr. Hulya Kasapoglu Chengel, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aysun Demirez Guneri, along with researchers from Kazakhstan and many other guests from Turkey.

In the opening speech he delivered, TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kaseinov described Ziya Samedi, the son of the Uyghur nation, as a unique author who was born in Kazakhstan, grew up on the slopes of the Tian Shen mountains and devoted his life to his  people and nation through his timeless literary work which shed a light on history and paved the way for a brighter future  of young generations and said: "This legendary author whose contribution to the development of Turkic culture and art has been remarkably strong, is not only a great philosopher and author of Turkic peoples but also of all Turkic peoples. With his eternal work, he made it possible for young generations to witness major moments of the history of humanity. Above all, he always stressed the importance of peace and serenity among nations. Yes, the destiny of Turkic peoples is a key element of Ziya Samedi's masterpieces, just as all his Works are of unique value fort he Turkic World.”

The Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Turkey Nihat Gul who also took the floor on the occasion said that through this commemoration event it carries out, the International Organization of Turkic Culture TURKSOY, does not only pay tribute to the legacy of the    Uyghur author Ziya Samedi but also strongly contributes to the strengthening of ties of brotherhood among peoples. The Chairman of the Eurasian Authors’ Union Yakup Omeroglu who also delivered a keynote speech at the commemoration event, described Ziya Samedi as a great author who did not only masterfully depict the destiny of the Uyghur nation but also enriched the Turkic cultural and artistic heritage through his unique work, and stressed the importance of the fact that this commemoration event is held in Turkey. The Undersecretary of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan  to Turkey Alimkhan Yessengeldiyev who expressed the greetings of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Turkey Janseyit Tuymebayev on his behalf touched upon the valuable contribution of the Uyghur author Ziya Samedi to Kazakh literature and reminded of the fact that meetings to commemorate Ziya Samedi in Kazakhstan  are being held by the state this year.

The Secretary of the Union of Authors of Kazakhstan Ahmetjan Ashiri expressed his gratitude to TURKSOY Secretary General for commemorating an Uyghur author in Turkey and more particularly in TURKSOY. Mr. Ashiri who also reminded of the fact that this commemoration meeting is being held thanks to the fact that Turkic Republics declared their independence  and said: "We would like to express our gratitude to you for hosting celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the birthday of our famous author Ziya Samedi on this sacred land of yours  and paying tribute to his legacy with your deep respect and recognition. Today, we are holding our greatest celebration. This very moment we are sharing all together here today will be remembered forever in the history of the Uyghur nation, its culture and its destiny. It is with great happiness that we therefore would like to express our deepest gratitude”.

Today, the great author and philosopher of the Uyghur people is 100 years old.

With his many masterpieces of literature such as "Yılların Sırrı” (The Secret of Years), "Mayimhan”, "Ahmet Efendi”, "Iparhan”, "Gani Batur”, "Kanlı Leke” (Blood Stain), amongst others, Ziya Samedi depicted the destiny and struggle of the Uyghur people for their independence. These Works are in fact a unique cornerstone of the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of both the Uyghur and the Turkic nations. Thanks to these chef d’oeuvres of literature he wrote, Samedi introduced the history and culture of his people to the World. Ziya Samedi who holds the title of People’s Author of  Kazakhstan and is a world famous author, is of Uyghur descent above all. His unique sincerity and devotion to his nation made him a great author and personality, not only for his nation but also for entire humanity. Samedi’s art and work has been translated into several languages and reached out to the World, calling upon eternal hope and peace.I believe that this bright future he dreamed of fort he World will become reality one day.

May this celebration of our author and our people be a happy one!

Ziya Samedi also played a pioneer role in the establishment and development of ties of friendship with many Kazak authors such as Gabit Musirepov, Alcebbar Abishev, Abdilda Tacibayev, and Olcas Suleymenov. Today, as we live in a country ruled by our President Nursultan Nazarbayev who has built so many indestructible bridges bringing Turkic nations together, we would like to express our deepest respect and gratitude to him. He is the one who led us on the "Sacred Way” which is so precious for all of us. He is the one who makes peace rule over our country. May he always watch over us and over our nation.  May he live long years ahead! May the great Turkic nations live in peace, and may our ties of mutual friendship last forever!”

The ceremony also gathered the Kazak poet who read a poem dedicated to Ziya Samedi 

Other senior guests of the ceremony were scholars such as Prof. Dr. Hulya Kasapoglu Cengel, Chairwoman of the Center for Turkic Research Studies and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aysun Demirez Güneri from the Gazi University.

Commemoration events held in memory of Ziya Samedi were not only held in Ankara but also in Nigde, where a panel was organized in cooperation of TURKSOY with the  Nigde University. The panel gathered the rector of the Nigde University Prof. Dr. Adnan Gorur, Deputy Rectors Prof. Dr. Murat Alp, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Bayrak and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Sener, the Secretary General Associate Prof. Dr Ethem Akyol, Deans, Directors of Institutes and Colleges as well as academic and administrative staff members.