― 24 января 2026 г.
Fourth Workshop of Country Coordinators of the Museums’ Association of TURKSOY held in Budapest
The Fourth Workshop of Country Coordinators of the Museums’ Association of TURKSOY hosted by the Hungarian National Museum was held in Budapest on January 23rd, 2026 within the framework of the “Attila” Exhibition. The workshop was organized to strengthen cooperation in the field of museology in the Turkic World, evaluate joint projects, and foster the exchange of experience.
Gábor Zsigmond moderated the meeting on behalf of the host institution, while TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev spoke at the opening session about the workshop's objectives and the future of museology in the Turkic World.
Sultan Raev: “Museums are the living spaces of our shared memory”
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev emphasized that museums are not only institutions that preserve the past, but also living cultural spaces that carry our shared identity and historical consciousness into the future. Mr. Raev stated that this workshop, held alongside with the Attila Exhibition, further deepened institutional cooperation among museums in the Turkic World.
Stating that TURKSOY considers museology as an important element of cultural diplomacy and shared historical consciousness, Mr. Raev said that joint exhibitions, scientific studies, and projects targeting young people will continue to be among the priority areas in the coming period.
The workshop discussed the activities and joint projects of the Museums’ Association of TURKSOY for 2026. In this context, participants exchanged views on the main themes of the 5th Museums’ Gathering of the Turkic World, planned to be held in Andijan, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026.
The meeting also focused on joint exhibitions and cultural events that could be organized to mark the 150th anniversary of the National History Museum of Uzbekistan, the 60th anniversary of the Beşalma Gagauz National History and Ethnography Museum, and the 90th anniversary of the National Museum of Fine Arts of Azerbaijan.
Participants shared their views on the establishment of an award program within the Museums’ Association of TURKSOY, the implementation of joint temporary exhibitions among museums of the Turkic World and the development of programs to foster education, internships, and experience sharing in the field of museology.
The workshop also discussed preparations for an international temporary exhibition of works from the Oghuz Turks period to be displayed in various centers in the Turkic World in 2026, while the cooperation and membership process of museums in Hungary with the Museums’ Association of TURKSOY was also on the agenda.
In addition to TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, the workshop was attended by Berik Abdigaliuli, the Director of the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Ali Haydar Atalar, the Director of the July 15th Democracy Museum of Ankara; Meretgeldi Çarıyev, the Director of the State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan; Emine Emel, the Director of the Turkish Cypriot History, Culture, and National Struggle Museum; Lüdmila Marin, the Director of the Gagauz National History and Ethnography Museum; Mahfuza Zeynalova, the Deputy Director of the National History Museum of Azerbaijan; and, on behalf of the host institution, Dr. Gábor Zsigmond, the Director of the Hungarian National Museum. Also participating in the workshop on behalf of Hungary were Kinga Popovics, the Advisor to the State Secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Innovation, and Barış Cavid Mövsümlü, Director and General Coordinator of the Museums’ Association of TURKSOY.
At the end of the workshop, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev handed over the Medal of TURKSOY to the former President Berik Abdigaliuli for his contributions to the institutionalization of the Museums’ Association of TURKSOY and its activities.
The workshop ended with a mutual exchange of views among participants. The aim of the Fourth Workshop of Country Coordinators of the Museums’ Association of TURKSOY was to further strengthen institutional solidarity and a shared vision of museums in the Turkic World.
