Commemoration of the Kyrgyz intellectual Kasym Tynystan Uulu at TURKSOY
An international commemorative event was held at the Secretariat General of the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) to mark the 125th anniversary of the birthday of Kasım Tynystan Uulu, one of the founders of Kyrgyz linguistics, poet and educator.
Hosted by TURKSOY, the event entitled ‘The Intellectual Awakening and Struggle for Freedom in Turkestan: The Kasym Tynystan Uulu International Commemoration and Academic Conference’ began with the opening of the ‘Exhibition of Paintings by Participants of the Baku Turkology Congress and Intellectuals of Turkistan’ and the screening of a promotional film. The event was attended by TURKSOY Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf, Mr. Bolot Sagınaev, a Member of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, Prof. Dr Ilyas Topsakal, the Deputy Chairman of the MHP and Member of Parliament for Samsun, Mr. Marat Tagaev, the Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to TURKSOY, Mr. Ufuk Tuzman, the President of the Eurasian Authors’ Association and Dr. Ibrahim Atabey, Assistant Professor.
Kasym Tynystan Uulu made a significant contribution to the construction of a shared civilisation and identity
Speaking at the opening of the event, Mr. Sayit Yusuf, the Deputy Secretary General of TURKSOY, emphasised the value that Tynystan Uulu holds for the Turkic World. Mr. Yusuf stated that: “Kasym Tynystan Uulu is a very special and important figure, not only because he is a highly significant figure in the history of Turkic political thought, nurtured by the Kyrgyz people, but also because he has made a tremendous contribution to the formation of our ideas, the shared values of the Turkic World and our identity.”
Pointing out that Tynystan Uulu had dedicated his life to the future of the nation, Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf further said: “We are the children of a shared civilisation; we are members of that shared civilisation” and emphasised that TURKSOY carries out activities to preserve the cultural values built upon the efforts of great figures from the past and pass them on to future generations for the benefit of the nation.
Mr. Marat Tagaev, the representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to TURKSOY, referred to Tynystan Uulu’s role in the building of the state, stating: “Kasym Tynystanov is a historical figure who laid the foundations of Kyrgyz linguistics and made significant contributions to the development of our national education system and the establishment of the Kyrgyz state. He undertook a great mission by participating in the First Congress of Turkology held in Baku in 1926.”
A generation that paid the price on the path to independence
Mr. Ufuk Tuzman, the President of the Eurasian Authors’ Union, highlighted the struggle of great intellectuals under difficult conditions. Referring to the influence of the Jadidist movement initiated by Ismail Gaspıralı, Mr. Tuzman noted that: “The period in which Kasym Tynystanov lived was a time when our intellectuals worked at great personal risk. They were the people who nurtured and enlightened that generation”.
Mr. Bolot Sagynaev, a Member of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, highlighted the unshakeable friendship between Türkiye and Kyrgyzstan in his speech. Mr. Sagynaev stated that: “The Republic of Türkiye was the first state to recognise the independence of the Kyrgyz Republic. This was a spiritual and historical step that ushered in a new era of cooperation between the two countries” and emphasized Tynystan Uulu’s special place in this history of brotherhood.
Prof. Dr. Ilyas Topsakal, Member of Parliament for Samsun and President of the Chingis Aitmatov Institute also drew attention to the challenges faced troughout history and stated that: “History is not always filled with glorious, great victories. As this nation matured, it reached the present day by overcoming immense difficulties, trials and sacrifices; we know what Kasym Tynystanov and his comrades were subjected to following the 1926 Baku Congress.”
The event ended with a video presentation, narrated by his wife, depicting the life and struggles of Kasym Tynystan Uulu, followed by an exchange of souvenirs and a group photograph.
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