― 13 мая 2026 г.

90th Birthday of the Kazakh Poet Oljas Suleymenov celebrated by TURKSOY and the Ankara University of Social Sciences

In cooperation of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) with the Ankara University of Social Sciences, a comprehensive event consisting of a panel discussion and an exhibition was organized to mark the 90th anniversary of the birthday of the Kazakh poet, author, and Turkologist Oljas Suleymenov.

The event, held at the Ankara University of Social Sciences was attended by TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, the Rector of the University Prof. Dr. Musa Kazım Arıcan, and the President of the Authors’ Association of  Türkiye Prof. Dr. Muhammet Enes Kala along with the Member of the Parliament of Kazakhstan  and Chairman of the Aktöbe Branch of the Authors’ Association of  Kazakhstan Bijan Qalmaganbetov, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Ankara Dinara Izanova, Prof. Dr. Amancol Kalış from the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Merey Qart from the Authors’ Association of  Kazakhstan, Prof. Dr. Cemile Kınacı Baran from the Hacı Bayram Veli University and the  Research Assistant Ecem Gül Ilek from the Kastamonu University along with shcolars and many guests.

The event began with a moment of silence and the the national anthems of Türkiye and Kazakhstan, followed by a special presentation honoring the Kazakh poet, author, and Turkologist Suleymenov.

In his opening remarks, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev described Suleymenov as “a renowned great figure of the entire Turkic World” and noted that his poetry addresses values shared by all humanity, such as peace, honor, historical memory, humanity, and responsibility.

“Suleymenov’s name will live on forever in the shared spiritual memory of the Turkic World”

Noting that Suleymenov viewed language as “not merely a means of communication, but the nation’s memory, the key to history, and the spiritual code of civilization,” Secretary General Raev said, " Suleymenov exalted the steppe without diminishing the mountains. His name will therefore live on forever not only in Kazakh literature but also in the shared spiritual memory of the entire Turkic World.”

While the Rector of the University Prof. Dr. Arıcan recited the poem “The Inner Voice of the Steppe” in honor of Süleymenov during his speech, the President of the Authors’ Association of  Türkiye Prof. Dr. Kala,  noted that three themes— “memory, justice, and humanity,” stating, “We bear witness to how his poetry anchors historical research. We bear witness to how he has made historical research a catalyst for cultural resistance and revival, and how he has given voice to cultural revival through conscience.”

Mrs. Izanova, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Ankara, described Suleymenov as “a genius who brings together the various disciplines of social sciences on the common ground of humanity’s heritage,” adding, “This great personality who is now in his nineties, is also one of the intellectual architects of our unity, which is getting stronger today under the auspices of the Organization of Turkic States.”

“Exalting the steppe without casting a shadow on the mountains”

Following the opening remarks and the mutual handover of souvenirs, a panel entitled “Exalting the steppe without casting a shadow on the mountains” was held with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Uluhan Özalan, a Faculty Member of the University.

In her remarks during the panel, Prof. Dr. Cemile Kınacı Baran discussed the impact of the environment in which Suleymenov grew up in the 20th century on his personality, stating, “He examined issues of identity, history, language, and how to keep memory alive, and he was a figure who revived the memory of the Kazakh people, who were on the verge of forgetting their past.” 

Another panelist, Mrs. Ecem Gül Ilek who also took the floor  noted that Suleymenov was one of the strongest representatives of Kazakh literature in the 20th century, highlighting not only his literary works but also his contributions in the fields of culture, history, language, politics, and diplomacy.

The event ended with the handover of certificates of appreciation and a group photograph of participants.