― 18 ноября 2021 г.

Impressions of the Turkic World in Brussels, the heart of Europe

The International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) held “Culture Days of Khiva in Brussels” between November  15th-17th, 2021. The events held within this framework to introduce Khiva, the Pearl of Uzbekistan to citizens of Europe took place right after the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Istanbul and was therefore interpreted as a major event in terms of the promotion of the Turkic World in the Old Continent. 

The opening event of the Culture Days of Khiva organized in cooperation of TURKSOY with the Uzbekistan Friendship Group of the European Parliament and the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Brussels with the support of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and the Diplomatic World broadcastin organization based in Brussels took place on November 15th at the Embassy of Uzbekistan and began with a concert at the residence of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Brusselsalong with a gastronomy show. 

The opening event was followed by a roundtable meeting entitled “The Preservation and Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of the Silkroad” held in the premises of the European Parliament on November 16th, 2021. The photography exhibition introducing Khiva, the pearl of the Silkroad to citizens of Europe held on the same day at the Representation of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey under the motto “Impressions of Khiva, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World”  in Brussels was strongly appreciated by visitors.

-Representatives of the Turkic World came together

Prior to the events held in Brussels, the delegation of TURKSOY met with Ambassadors of TURKSOY member countries and representatives of various NGOs.

Representatives of the Turkic World in Brussels came together at a working lunch hosted by the Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the European Union and exchanged views on various issues.

Upon invitation of the diplomatic mission of Kyrgyzstan to the EU and Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Brussels Muktar Djumaliev  the delegation later visited the building of the Embassy of Uzbekistan where the Kyrgyz author worked between 1994-2008. During this visit, the Secretary General of TURKSOY offered the art album entitled “Reading Chingis Aitmatov” to Ambassador Djumaliev in the  office of Aitmatov which has been turned into a museum. Prof. Dr. Ruhi Ersoy signed the diary of Chingis Aitmatov on behalf of the delegation of TURKSOY.

The last meeting which took place in Brussels gathered the delegation of TURKSOY with the Ambassador of the Repubic of Turkey to Brussels. In the meeting, TURKSOY Secretary General Kasseinov handed over to Ambassador Ulusoy a plaquette especially prepared by TURKSOY on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the passing away of Yunus Emre within the framework of The Year of Yunus Emre and Turkish Language.

Ambassador Ulusoy who said that he is closely following up events carried out by TURKSOY further added that: “We already had hosted events of TURKSOY where I was previously on duty before Brussels. It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you as our guests in Brussels this time. It is the right decision to hold Culture Days of Khiva in Brussels right after the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Istanbul. I do strongly believe that we will be organizing other, more comprehensive events together  in the days to come.” 

-The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Kamilov: “TURKSOY plays a key role in the fostering of cultural ties between Europe and Turkic states”

The opening event of the Culture Days of Khiva held on November 15th, 2021 in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov at the residence of the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Brussels featured a concert and a gastronomy show.

The event gathered the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Turkey to the EU H. E.  Mehmet Kemal Bozay, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Brussels H. E. Dr. Hasan Ulusoy, the Representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to NATO and the EU in Belgium  H. E.  Dilyor Khakimov, the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to  Brussels H. E. Muktar Djumaliev, the MP of the European Parliament and Chairman of the EU-Turkey Friendship Group Mr.  Ryszard Czarnecki, the Special Representative of Central Asia to the EU Terhi Hakala, the Ambassdor of the European Union to Uzbekistan Charlotte Adriaen, the Deputy Managing Director of the EU External Affairs Department Luc Pierre Devigne and the Representative of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan to  UNESCO  Krista Pikkat along with many guests.

In the opening speech he delivered at the event, the Secretary General of TURKSOY, Dusen Kasseinov said: “It is a great pleasure for me to see the stage we have reached in the Project we launched in 2012 to declare one city of the Turkic World as its cultural capital every year. We are very happy to see the growing interaction between European Capitals of Cultur and Cultural Capitals of the Turkic World. Brussels is the heart of Europe.  Although this event primarily aims at the promotion of  Khiva it also contributes to the strengthening of cultural bridges existing between peoples of the Turkic World and Europe. Let me therefore express my gratitude to all thoıse who supported the organization of these events held upon invitation of members of the European Parliamentours which will bring together decision makers of the EU, scholars and diplomatic missions as well as culture experts.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan H. E. Abdulaziz Kamilov who was the guest of honour of the event also said a few words on the occasion and  stressed that: “It is kindness and beauty whih will save the world. Ths evening we are introducing Khiva to you which is one of the wonderfully beautiful places of the world. Let me therefore express my gratitude to you for having honoured us with your precious presence here today.”

Minister Kamilov who also said that TURKSOY plays a key role in cultural ties between countries of the Turkic World and the European Union further said: “This evening we are celebrating an event which is both very interesting and all the more so important. TURKSOY wonderfully assumes its part in the realization of such events carried out in cooperation of Turkic states with the European Parliament. At the summit of the Turkic Council recently held in Istanbul we have renamed our council which will from now on be refered to as the Organization of Turkic States. We have taken a major step to strengthen our mutual cooperation. I would like to stress that we are cooperating in many fields of activity but we should attach particulat importance to our cultural cooperation. Hence, we will of course pursue our close cooperation and continue  carrying  out activities to further strengthen our cultural ties with our kindred Turkic states as well as with European countries.” 

The event featured a performance of artists from Uzbekistan. Within the framework of the event, guests were offered traditional Uzbek food such Uzbek rice and handmade pasta filled with meat amongst other culinary specialties.

-TURKSOY Secretary General Kasseinov: “We have always considered it as our duty to introduce our rich cultural heritage to large audiences through the universal language of art.”

Within the framework of Culture Days of Khiva  a roundtable meeting on “The Preservation and Promotion of the Cultural Heritage of the Silkroad” was held at the European Parliament on November 16th, 2021.

The opening speeches of the meeting which was the first scientific event to have been organized in cooperation of TURKSOY with the European Parliament were delivered by TURKSOY Secretary General  Dusen Kasseinov, the Chairman of the EU-Turkey, EU-Uzbekistan and EU-Kazakhstan Friendship Groups of the European Parliament Mr. Ryszard Czarnecki, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Turkey to the EU Mr. Mehmet Kemal Bozay and the Representative of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to UNESCO Krista Pikkat.

The panel moderated by Mrs. Johanna Suo from the Diplomatic World journal featured contribtions by Prof. Dr. Ruhi Ersoy from the Hacı Bayram Veli University of Ankara, the Deputy Rector of the University of World Economy and Dimplomacy of Uzbekistan Prof. Dr. Gulnoza Ismailova, Dr. Munira Aminova from the Management School of Brussels, the journalist Sami Hamdi, the Deputy Director of the External Relations Department of the EU Luc Pierre DEVIGNE and Mr. Alberto Turkstra from the Diplomatic World journal. 

In his opening speech, TURKSOY Secretary General Kasseinov stressed the importance of the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of TURKSOYmember countries which are of key importance for their independence and further existence  and said: “We at TURKSOY are further pursuing our activities with this ideal in mind. We have always considered it as our duty to introduce our cultural heritage to large audiences through the universal language of art. Our aim is to contribute the best we can to the heritage of our civilization, and to build our future all together by uniting our hearts after all these years spent kilometers apart from eachother. With your presence here today, you are paving the way to a major road towards the strengthening of cultural and academic ties among our peoples as well as towards the development of projects to be carried out imn other fields in the future.” 

The MP of the European Parliament Mr. Ryszard Czarnecki who also said a few words on the occasion expressed his honour to be hosting such an event in Brussels for the first time. Mr. Czarnecki who further said that members of the EP are willing to develop ties of mutual  cooperation  with Uzbekistan added that as a result of the constructive dialogue between the two parties  a EU-Uzbekistan Friendship group was established within the EP in April this year and said that many steps have already been taken to foster thjis mutual cooperation and dialogue. Mr. Czarnecki  who said: “We will do our very best to strengthen the mutual dialogue and ties between peoples.” further added that with its cities such as Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand,  Uzbekistan hosted many civilizations in terms of education, culture, art and science. Mr. Czarnecki who also said that after the Soviet Era, Uzbekistan has the potential to become one of the an important economic powers of the world and that it could become an important center of tourism in Eurasia.

Ambassador Bozay who drew attention to the importance of the dialogue between peoples stressed that such events play a key role in the development and fopstering thereof. Ambassador Bozay who further said that as the host country of TURKSOY, the Republic of Turkey supports such events, expressed his honour to be attending such a meeting as an ambassador representing Turkey as this kind of events will contribute to the strengthening of ties between Europe and Asia. 

-Prof. Dr. Ruhi Ersoy: “Uzbekistan can be considered as the cradle of the common understanding of  science, belief and contemplation of the Turkic World.”

The panel was highlighted by the contributions of  Prof. Dr. Ruhi Ersoy from Turkey. Indeed, Prof. Dr. Ersoy who drew attention to the role played by Uzbekistan in the shaping of Turkic culture and civilization  further said: “With its borders reaching out from East to West, modern Uzbekistan is a country which we consider as the heart of the Turkic World and as the land of our ancestors. With its rivers Seyhun and Ceyhun, Uzbekistan holds a special position in Turkic history. From the Turkish perspective, Tashkent, the capital of  Uzbekistan ’ın looks like Ankara, Samarkand looks like Bursa and Bukhara looks like  Konya.”

Prof. Dr. Ersoy who reminded of the fact that the Valley of Mâverâünnehir has been the main source of existence of independent Turkic states which form the Turkic World further added: “ Located in the center of this region Uzbekistan is also the cradle of the Golden Ages of the Turkic World. Indeed, Uzbekistan covers a large territory on the Silkroad reaching out from China to the Mediterranean Sea and Europe. At the same time, Uzbekistan which has been the richest region of the world  also has been the center of enlightment in the Turkic Islamic World as of the 8th century. A major part of spiritual and religious leaders, explorers and teachers of the Turkic Islamic World were educated in  Uzbekistan.”

Prof. Dr. Ersoy who also said that the historical, cultural and religious heritage of Uzbekistan offer precious insights which could help solve many problems faced today further added: “Uzbekistan has been a source of creativity in the historical and geographical structure of Turkic culture and civilization. Uzbekistan can be considered as the cradle of the common understanding of  science, belief and contemplation of the Turkic World. The historical and geographical evolution of this region  brought about a system of values and a knowledge which benefits entire humanity. This cultural concept which gives priority to reasoning, science, the human kind and environment is strong enough to be the source of fundamental approaches needed by humanity today. In this respect, the Turkic World which has been the cradle of civilization for thousands of years, is becoming a center of attraction and enlightment again for entire humanity.”

The panel on the Preservation and Promotion of the Cultural Heritage of the Silkroad  was followed by thematic presentations. Panelists were  Dr. Munira Aminova from the Brussels School of Management, the media Professional and advisor Mr. Sami Hamdi and Mr. Alberto Turkstra from the Diplomatic World Journal. 

-The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to BrusselsH. E. Dilyor Khakimov: “Culture Days of Khiva” organized by TURKSOY on the 30th anniversary of the independence of Ubekistan is very meaningful for us."

The panel held at the European Parliament was followed by the opening of the photography exhibition on “Khiva, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2020” in the representation Office of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges which offered European visitors an insight into the beauty of Khiva, the pearl of the Silkroad.

The ribbon of the exhibition was cut by TURKSOY Secretary General  Dusen Kasseinov, the the Chairman of the EU-Turkey, EU-Uzbekistan and EU-Kazakhstan Friendship Groups of the European Parliament Mr. Ryszard Czarnecki, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Brussels and the European Union H. E.  Dilyor Khakimov and  Prof. Dr. Ruhi Ersoy  from the Hacı Bayram Veli University of Ankara.

Ambassador Khakimov who said that “Uzbekistan is a country of culture and traditions further added: “With its cities such as Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand which are located on the Silkroad, Uzbekistan has been a center of education, science and culture. In other words, Uzbekistan has been a cradle of civilizations. We want to introduce our historical heritage to the world and turn it into a leverage of development. In this respect, the “Culture Days of Khiva” organized by TURKSOY on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the independence of Uzbekistan is very meaningful to us. Let me therefore express my gratitude to TURKSOY and invite you to discover the beauty of our country.”

The MP of the European Parliament Ryszard Czarnecki who greeted the audience in Turkish  said: “It is an honour for me to be hosting the Culture Days of Khiva in Brussels. Our Friendship Group aims at the development and fostering of the dialogue between European and Uzbek decision makers as well as between the European and Uzbek business world and civil society. Focusing on cultural art, tourisa and academic research, we want to add value to existing initiatives linking the European Union to  Uzbekistan. Our newly founded friendship group  will further continue to focus on activities bring together the peoples of Uzbekistan and the European Union. I would like to express my gratitude to the Secretary General of TURKSOY Mr. Dusen Kasseinov for his major contribution to the organization of this event. Although only a few days elapsed since my visit in Ankara,  we have succeeded in organizing a series of wonderful events. I look forward to the further strengthening of our cooperation in the coming days.” 

Prof. Dr. Ersoy who was the last to take the floor at the event said: “Events we have been participating in within the framework of Culture Days of Khiva organized by TURKSOY are being further successfully carried out. Following the concert and gastrononmy show hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of  Uzbekistan Mr. Kamilov yesterday we have organized a panel at the European Parliament today. This panel on Uzbekistan in particular and on the Turkic World in general  has been a great success. Now, we are at  this wonderful exhibition. Holding all these events on the right time in the right place necessitates great vision. Hence, I would like to congratulate Secretary General Kasseinov for having organized these events in Brussels as well as for all activities he has been carrying out in the Turkic World.” 

Prof. Dr. Ersoy who also said that both the Republic of Turkey and Turkic culture have a lot to say to humanity further added: “With initiatives it takes, our country has assumed a major vision reaching out beyond the borders of Turkey with its commitment to finding a solution to humanity’s problems and restoring its peace of mind. In this process, our greatest source of inspiration and energy remains the rich cultural heritage of our civilization. The vision of the Turkic World in the 21st century which is rooted in a wide-scope perspective embracing the human species, nature, culture, reasoning and science is strong enough to generate fundamental approaches needed by humanity.”

The opening speeches were followed by artistic performances which highlighted the exhibition and were strongl appreciated by the audience. At the end of the event, a cake especially prepared for TURKSOY was cut and offered to citizens who came to visit the exhibition. 

-Further events will be carried out in the future

In the statement he delivered after the closing of the Culture Days of Khiva, TURKSOY Secretary General Dusen Kasseinov said that many events were held within the framework of the initiative launched by TURKSOY in  2012 to declare one city of the Turkic World as its cultural capital every year  and added that: “We are holding these events to foster interaction among European Capitals of Culture and Cultural Capitals of the Turkic World. We are very happy to see fruitful results of our efforts. Upon invitation of the European mParliament, we have successfully held such a meaningful event in Brussels, the heart of Europe. The more we will foster communication and interaction among our cities  the closer will our peoples get acquainted with eachother. With other special events we will be holding in the future such as Culture Days of Khiva, we will be introducing other cities of the Turkic World to citizens of Europe. We thank all friends of the Turkic World for their interest.”