― 13 февраля 2026 г.

Commemoration of Ali Sher Navoi in TURKSOY Headquarters on the 585th anniversary of his birthday

The International Organization for Turkic Culture TURKSOY organized a commemorative event on the occasion of the 585th anniversary of the birthday of the great poet and philosopher Ali Sher Navoi. The event which was held on Friday, February 13th, 2026, attracted significant interest from scholars, poets, authors, and diplomats from the Turkic World.

The commemorative event was attended by H. E. Mr. Yerkebulan Sapiyev, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Ankara; H. E. Mr. Mekan Ishanguliyev, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Ankara; Mr. Sirojiddin Sayyid, the President of the Authors' Association of Uzbekistan and People's Poet of Uzbekistan; Mr. Usmon Azim, Member of the Authors' Association of Uzbekistan; Prof. Dr. Musa Kazım Arıcan, the Rector of the Ankara University of Social Sciences and President of the Authors' Association of Türkiye; Mr. Shuhrat Sirojiddinov, Member of the Academy and Rector of the Ali Sher Navoi Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, Mr. Gayrat Majid, the Deputy President of the Authors' Association of Uzbekistan, Prof. Dr. Funda Toprak from the Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Prof. Dr. Seadet Shihiyeva from the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Prof. Dr. Nurboy Jabborov from the Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, Prof. Dr. Maksud Asadov, the Deputy Director of the Institute of Uzbek Language, Literature and Folklore and Prof. Dr. Zidigerbey Saalayev from Kyrgyzstan, along with many other distinguished guests.

Sultan Raev: Navoi is the Defender of  Turkic Language and Unity

Delivering the opening speech of the event, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev stressed that Navoi is the common conscience and bearer of civilization of the Turkic World and added: "Navoi is not only a poet but also the defender of Turkic language and unity. His works have inspired millions of people over the centuries. I was in Uzbekistan earlier this week and attended the Navoi events in Andijan. The sensitivity  regarding the heritage of ancestors in Uzbekistan is commendable. The support given by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to literature and culture plays a major role in passing on Navoi's legacy to younger generations."

In his speech, Sirojiddin Sayyid, the President of the Authors' Association of Uzbekistan, recalled that 2021 was declared “Year of Ali Sher Navoi” by the International Turkic Academy and that many events were organized within this framework. 

President Sayyid who further said that, in the same year, an international award named after Ali Sher Navoi was established within the Organization of Turkic States upon initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev  stressed that the first award, given every two years to individuals who contribute to the promotion of Turkic culture, the preservation of peace and security as well as to the development of cooperation among Turkic peoples, was presented to the Kyrgyz author Chingis Aitmatov in 2022. 

President Sayyid  added that, within the framework of the Year of Ali Sher Navoi, the poet's works have been translated into various Turkic dialects and that Almaz Ulvi's book “Ali Şîr Navoi's Era and Prose” has been published in Azerbaijan, while Ramiz Asker translated Navoi’s ‘Hamsa’ into Azerbaijani and published it in Baku, along with “Mahbub ul-Kulub” which was translated into Azerbaijani by Ramiz Asker, into Karakalpa by Orazbay Abdurahmanov  and into Kazakh by Nesipbek Aytulı. 

President Sayyid who also mentioned that in addition to this, Kaldibek Seydanov's book “Navoi ve Kazak Edebiyatı” (Navoi and Kazakh Literature) was published, and that novels and epics about Navoi's life had been written and presented to readers, further added that the  Ali Sher Navoi International Award was presented to the Nobel Prize-winning Turkish scientist Aziz Sancar, at the summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Budapest, in 2025 “for his contributions to the unity of the Turkic World.”

Prof. Dr. Musa Kazım Arıcan, the Rector of the Ankara University of Social Sciences, described Navoi's struggle to defend the Turkic language as a continuation of the tradition started by Kashgarly Mahmud. "Navoi proved that Turkic language is not only a spoken language but also a great language of literature and thought. His political philosophy emphasizes mercy and justice over Machiavelism. We should present him as a role model to our youth. Turkic language is a matter of conscience, a civilization. Navoi is one of the strongest architects of this civilization."

The panel session discussed Navoi's literary personality, his influence on Turkic dialects, and the importance of his ideas in today's world. The Rector of the Ali Sher Navoi University and member of the academy Shuhrat Sirojiddinov provided information on how Navoi's works are being analysed in Uzbekistan and around the world, while Prof. Dr. Seadet Shihiyeva from Azerbaijan explained Navoi's influence on Azerbaijani literature. Prof. Dr. Funda Toprak evaluated Navoi's language and style characteristics. Prof. Dr. Nurboy Jabborov and Prof. Dr. Maksud Asadov also focused on contemporary interpretations of Navoi's works. Gayrat Majid emphasized Navoi's influence on contemporary Uzbek poetry.

Mr. Hayriddin Sultanov, the Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan and People's Author of Uzbekistan, stated in a video conference shown at the opening of the program that Ali Sher Navoi's prayer, “May my writings be accepted by the people,” has been coming true for 585 years, emphasizing that the great poet's personality and works possess a unique charm, appeal, and power. According to Sultanov, the fundamental reason for this is that Navoi is not merely a philosopher who lived and died in the Middle Ages, but rather a great figure of every era. Sultanov stated that no matter where in the world people live, they can always find answers to the spiritual and moral problems of their age in Navoi's insightful works, adding that it is a national duty to educate the younger generations with Navoi's wise works.

Participants emphasized that Navoi's legacy continues to unite the Turkic World and pointed out the importance of such events in preserving common cultural values.

The event which went on with the handover of  medals, plaquettes, and certificates of appreciation of TURKSOY to some participants for their contributions to Turkic culture ended with a group photograph taken as a remembrance of the day.