― 27 мая 2016 г.
A Panel on Yusuf Khass Hajip and his contribution to Turkic Cultural Heritage was held in the TRNC
Upon declaration of the Year 2016 as Year of Yusuf Khass Hajib by TURKSOY,
various events have been held in the country and abroad to celebrate the 1000th
anniversary of his birthday. One of these commemorative events was the
panel entitled “The Legacy of Yusuf Khass Hajib in Turkic Culture” which took
place in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in cooperation of TURKSOY with
the American University of Kyrenea (AUK).
The opening speeches of the panel which took place in the Millenium
Congress Hall on the campus of the AUK, were delivered by TURKSOY Secretary
General Dusen Kaseinov and the Rector of
the AUK Prof. Dr. Kutsal Ozturk.
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Kutsal Ozturk said: “As an international
organization which was established in 1993 upon signature of the Ministers of
Culture of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and
Uzbekistan and has carried out many successful events since then, TURKSOY is
here again with another event. We are very honoured to welcome you on the
occasion of this commemorative event. The TRNC is a member country of TURKSOY with an
observer status. As you know, TURKSOY is the UNESCO of the Turkic World and its
mission is to bring Turkic peoples closer together to strengthen our existing
ties of brotherhood. It carries out its activities under the auspices of the
Heads of States of its member countries. The Turkic World which stretches out
on a vast territory is united around common cultural values. Dede Korkut, Akhmet
Yassawi, Nasreddin Hodja and Mevlana are just a few of them. With his
masterpiece entitled “Kutadgu Bilig” meaning “Knowledge as a Source of
Happiness”, Yusuf Khass Hajib is also
one of the famous personalities of the history of Turkic culture. Today, we
have come together here to commemorate Yusuf Khass Hajib on the occasion of the
1000th anniversary of his birthday and we will discuss various
aspects of his book “Kutadgu Bilig”. I believe this panel chaired by our
Advisor Prof. Dr. Umay Türkeş Günay will be veryu fruitful.”
TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen
Kaseinov who also delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the panel said:
“Central Asian Republics are celebrating the 25th anniversary of
their independence in 2016. Despite their young age in terms of their history
as independent republics, these states have a rich historical past. Yusuf Khass
Hajib who is a World famous poet and author
is the most tangible proof thereof. “Kutadgu Bilig”, i.e. “The Book of
Knowledge as a Source of Happiness”, is a cornerstone of Turkic cultural heritage
written in Turkic language by the famous philosopher Yusuf Khass Hajib between 1069-1070.
With his words “Look, man was born and died, but his words remain. Man dies but
his name remains. Oh judge, oh scholar, if you want to be eternal, your deeds
and words shall both be good”, Yusuf Khass Hajib describes teh characteristics
of human virtue which served as guiding principles for future generations for
many centuries. Mr. Kaseinov who stressed that Yusuf Khass Hajib is a cornerstone of Turkic
culture further said: “Yusuf Khass Hajib who is the author of Kutadgu Bilig, the first
chef-d’oeuvre of Islamic Turkic literature is a great philosopher not only in
terms of Turkic culture but also for the entire world. Indeed, “Kutadgu Bilig”
is a masterpiece which stands as a proof of the fact that Turkic language was
already being used to deal with philosophical issues as early as in the 11th
century. This is why we have declared the year 2016 as Year of Yusuf Khass
Hajib to commemorate this great author and introduce his legacy to future
generations.”.
The opening speeches were followed by the panel discussion chaired by the
Advisor to the Rector of the American University of Kyrenea and Expert of Turkic Ethnology Prof. Dr. Umay
Turkes Gunay. Prof. Dr. Turkes said: “Kutadgu Bilig is a masterpiece which we
consider as our common cultural heritage because it is a timeless and extremely
comprehensive work. Indeed, we have gathered here today to discuss this
masterpiece and commemorate its author 10 centuries later. Life is really an
interesting process. Some literary works are such a great contribution to the
evolution of mankind that they defeat the limits of time and space. One of the
most characteristic features of Kutadgu Bilig and Yusuf Has Hacib is the fact
that it is the common cultural heritage of the entire Turkic World. The
history of Turkic peoples dates back to the Legend of Oghuz Khan and they have
common works which date back to the 12th-13th
centuries. This is why Turkic states as well as Turkic peoples which live as an
autonomous entity within other states all consider Kutadgu Bilig as part of
their literature and history.”
At the end of the panel, TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kaseinov extended
a plaquette along with souvenirs to the
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Kyrenea Mr. Memduh Erdal and the Founding Rector and
Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr.
Serhat Akpınar as a remembrance of the day.
On the same day, TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kaseinov paid a visit to
the Minister of National Education and Culture of the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus Dr. Ozdemir Berova to congratulate him on the
occasion of his appointment and gave him some information about activities
carried out by TURKSOY.
