― 27 февраля 2025 г.

Commemorative meeting dedicated to the 99th anniversary of the Turkology Congress of Baku held at the Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University

The Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University organised a commemorative meeting entitled ‘Repression in the Turkic World’ to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the Turkology Congress held in Baku in 1926. Secretary General of TURKSOY Sultan Raev, President of Ahmed Javad Institute Prof. Dr. Ruhi Ersoy, Rector of Hacı Bayram Veli University Prof. Dr. Naci Bostancı as well as many academicians, researchers and students attended the event held in the Blue Hall of Itri Campus.
 

In his opening speech, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev emphasised the importance of the 1926 Baku Turkology Congress for the Turkic World. Raev said: ‘The Turkology Congress held in Baku in 1926 was not only a scientific meeting but also the fate of a nation. The wise pens who came together that day did not only talk about language; they tried to shape the voice, self, common spirit and future of a nation.’ Raev stated that the foundations of a common alphabet and a common consciousness were laid at this congress.
 

Challenges faced by the Turkic World throughout history
 

Raev stated that the Turkic World has faced many difficulties throughout history, but has maintained its existence without compromising its language, culture and identity. Stating that the heritage of a common past is carried in a wide geography extending from Central Asia to the Balkans, Raev said: ‘Turkish peoples, who are the carriers of this ancient civilisation of thousands of years, have fought great struggles throughout history, not only on the battlefields but also on the path of knowledge and wisdom.’
 

Repression Period and the Struggle of Turkish Intellectuals
 

Raev drew attention to the ‘Repressiya’ period in 1937-38 and stated that Turkish intellectuals were targeted and suffered great losses during this period. ‘This period, called repression, targeted not only individuals but also the collective memory of a nation. Turkologists, poets, writers, scientists were wanted to be silenced. However, this voice, which was wanted to be silenced, is still echoing today and brings us together here.’
 

Common Identity and Future of the Turkic World
 

Raev emphasised the importance of such meetings in order to reinforce the common identity of the Turkic World and strengthen the unbreakable bond between languages. ‘A common language, a common history and a common cultural consciousness are among the most important elements that will shape the future of the Turkic World,’ Raev said, stressing the role of organisations such as TURKSOY in strengthening this unity.
 

Heritage to be passed on to young generations
 

Raev emphasised the importance of transferring the cultural and scientific heritage of the Turkic World to young generations and said: ‘We, as the carriers of that torch, are here to further strengthen the cultural and scientific unity of the Turkic World. Because we know that our language, history and culture are parts of a whole and only within this integrity can we take firm steps towards the future.’
 

In his speech, Prof. Dr. Ruhi Ersoy, President of Ahmed Javad Institute, drew attention to the fate of the Turkish intellectuals who participated in the 1926 Baku Turkology Congress. Ersoy said, ‘Turkish intellectuals who came together in Baku in 1926 worked on a common alphabet and the future of Turkishness. However, when these intellectuals returned to their countries, they were tried by the Stalin regime with the accusation of ‘panturkist’ and many of them were executed in 1937-38.’
 

Ersoy stated that during this period more than 80 thousand Turkish intellectuals were murdered on the accusation of knowing Turkish, spreading Turkish and working for the future of Turkishness and said: ‘These intellectuals laid the foundations of the common alphabet of today's Turkish World, independent Turkish states and the science of Turkology. It is our greatest responsibility to keep their legacy alive and pass it on to future generations.’
 

In his speech at the meeting, Prof. Dr. Naci Bostancı, Rector of Hacı Bayram Veli University, emphasised the importance of contributing to the cultural and academic unity of the Turkic World. Bostancı said, ‘Today, we have come together to revive the common memory of the Turkic World and to take steps towards the future. This meeting will make an important contribution to the development of Turkology and the strengthening of the spirit of unity of the Turkic World.’
 

Panel Sessions and Speakers
 

Following the opening speeches, the panel was organised in three sessions and the periods of oppression in the Turkic World and the future of Turkology were discussed.
 

• Session I (Session Chairman: Prof. Dr. Ruhi Ersoy):
  
  • Prof. Dr. Öcal Oğuz, in his presentation titled ‘The Journey of Turkology from Local to Universal’, explained the journey of Turkology from local values to universal.
     
  • Prof. Dr. Bilgehan Atsız Gökdağ, in his speech titled ‘Baku Turkology Congress and the Fate of the Participants’, evaluated the oppression and tragic consequences of the intellectuals who attended the congress.
     
  • Prof. Dr. Ahmet Buran, in his presentation titled ‘Bulleted Turkology’, explained how the science of Turkology was targeted by the Soviet regime and the losses suffered in this process.
     
• Session II (Session Chairman: Hasan Şener):
  
  • Prof. Dr. İbrahim Dilek, in his speech titled ‘Repression in the Turkic World’, detailed the repressive policies against Turkic peoples during the Soviet Union.
     
  • Prof. Dr. Cemile Kınacı Baran, in her presentation titled ‘Wives and Families of Turkologists Victims of Repression’, drew attention to the difficulties experienced by families during the repression period.
     
  • Sabırbek Börübay, ‘Victims of Repression in Kyrgyzstan: Ata-Beyit and Kekilik Uçar Beyit’, he talked about the repressions in Kyrgyzstan and the monuments bearing the traces of this period.
     
• Session III (Session Chairman: Turan Şahin):
  
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esma Özdaşlı underlined the effects of repression on society with her speech titled ‘Political, Social and Cultural Results of Repression in the Turkic World’.
     
  • Prof. Dr. Mehmet Çevik, in his presentation titled ‘Turkology Diplomacy and World Turkology Centres’, evaluated the place of Turkology in the international arena and its contribution to diplomacy.
     
  • Prof. Dr. Asiye Mevhibe Coşar, in her speech titled ‘Problems and Proposals of Turkology Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’, presented the effects of technological developments on Turkology education and suggestions for solutions.
     

After the panel sessions, Prof. Dr. M. Hanifi Macit made the closing speech and the meeting was considered as an important step in protecting the common cultural heritage of the Turkic World and transferring it to future generations.
 

The event ended with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to all participants who contributed to the cultural and academic unity of the Turkic World.