― 25 июля 2019 г.
25th International Culture and Art Festival of Bayburt
The 25th International Culture and Art Festival of Dede Korkut gathered friends of the Turkic World in Bayburt.
The festival hosted by the municipality of Bayburt started with a parade of folk dance ensembles together with citizens of Bayburt and took place on the Masat Plateau throughout the day.
In the opening speech he delivered at the festival, the Governor of Bayburt Ali Hamza Pehlivan said that when refering to Dede Korkut, the first thing which comes into one's mind is the city of Bayburt. Governor Pehlivan who stressed the importance of this illustrious personality for the Turkic World further added: ''Dede Korkut is about the notion of family and its importance. Dede Korkut is about unity, brotherhood and sharing. These are key characteristics of ours which have been ensuring our unity and solidarity throughout history and help us be confident and hopeful about our future. Hence, Dede Korkut and the city of Bayburt are the common cultural value of the Turkic World.''
What brings us together here is Dede Korkut and his tales
In the speech he delivered at the event on behalf of the International Organization of Turkic Culture, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bilal Çakıcı said: "What brings us together here today is Dede Korkut and his tales which have gathered many people from various regions of the Turkic World here. Lucky are those who have not forgotten his story. Dedem Korkut's legacy is bringing life to Bayburt, Derbent, Kyzylorda and Turkmen Sahra. This legacy is literally a potion of immortality for the Turkish nation. Lucky are those who have tasted it and quenched their thirst for wisdom. Let me therefore extend my deepest gratitude to the Mayor of Bayburt Mr. Hükmüm Pekmezci as well as to all those those who contributed to the organization of this festival."
The International Culture and Art Festival of Bayburt will go on featuring various events until July 28th, 2019.
Who is Dede Korkut?
Dede Korkut (Korkut Ata), is a semi-legendary wiseman who was praised in ancient legends of Oghuz Turks. He is believed to be the protector of all Turkic tribes who is perfectly familiar with traditions, customs and living conditions of the steppe. Besides, Dede Korkut is the storyteller/minstrel of tales in the Book of Dede Korkut which is the most ancient legend of Turkic peoples. He is refered to with different names. Indeed, while the Oghuz tribes refer to him as "Korkut' or 'Korkut Ata'; the Western part of the Turkic World refers to him as 'Dede Korkut'. In 2019, Dede Korkut was included in the UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
