― 28 марта 2024 г.

International Conference held in Anev, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2024

On the occasion of the declaration of the ancient city of Anev of Turkmenistan as the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2024 and the 300th anniversary of the birth of Mahtumkulu Firaki, an international conference on "Turkmen Land - the Centre of Ancient Cultures" was held in Ashgabat.
The forum, which was held with the participation of more than 90 media representatives from 15 countries, as well as media organisations of Turkic States, was one of the most comprehensive events organised by Turkmenistan in the field of media.

The opening speeches of the forum which is a major event raising great interest among media organizations of the Turkic World were delivered  by Javad Mottaghi, Deputy General Director of "ITAR- TASS" Mikhail Gusman, Central Asia Correspondent of Russia 24, Russia's National Television Channel, Robert Frantsev, Director General of the Association of News Agencies of the Member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Mohammed Bin Abd Rabbo Al- Yami, Head of the Department of Educational Affairs of the European Broadcasting Union Frédéric Frantz,  Akim Mogaji, one of the founders of the platform "New Media Networks", a famous film producer, and Anna Belikova, Professor at Moscow State University, Presidential Academy and Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Director of Protocol and External Relations of RT Television Channel.

In the speech he delivered at the opening ceremony, Secretary General Sultan Raev stressed that since the beginning of the week, Turkmenistan has been organising high-level events, and added  that the opening ceremony of  "Anev the  Cultural  Capital of the Turkic World 2024"  held last night will remain in the memory of the participants for a long time. Noting that all these  events stand as a  proof of the fact that Turkmenistan has raised the bar of the Capital of Culture of the Turkic World programme  higher, Mr. Raev expressed his gratitude to  the President of Turkmenistan, His Excellency Mr. Serdar Berdimuhammedov and  to Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the People's Assembly of Turkmenistan  for their constant support  regarding  activities carried out by TURKSOY.

Drawing attention to the place of Turkic civilisation in history, Secretary General Raev said: "Of course, Turkic civilisation is an integral part of world civilisation!  As the heir of ancient history and civilisation, Turkic peoples have paved the way for the development of science and philosophy, literature and mathematics, medicine and astronomy since the first stage of human development, respectively with ancient rock paintings and Orkhon inscriptions. They founded the first great empires and kaganates in history. Turkish Culture, which was formed in the blessed lands such as the Great Steppe, God Mountains and Isık-Göl, which are the places of epics, fed by the spiritual sources of Shusha, and consolidated in the hearth of great civilisations such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, and shaped in ancient Merv and Anev; since ancient times, it covers a huge geography extending from the borders of the Göktürk State to Anatolia and the Adriatic Sea! 

Today, as we are holding the opening ceremony of the golden heritage of Turkic culture, we cannot pass without proudly mentioning the names of great people such as Nizami Ganjavi, Abay, Aytmatov, Ali Şîr Nevaî, Magtumguly Pyragy and Yunus Emre, who are all illustrious personalities of the Turkic World! We hear the voices of these great people in the folk songs, poems and lyrics of the Turkic World! This is the voice of the Turkic World. This is the voice of eternity!"
 

In his speech, Secretary General  Raev also touched upon the power of words and the role played by the media today and said: "In the 21st century, the power and might of words is more effective than the most effective weapons and bombs. Words can either protect the world, or shake the world.Our ancestors considered  words of peace, and harmony as words that unite peoples as jewels.This idea is the essence of the poems of the great poet and philosopher Maghtumguly.The Turkic world should be a platform ruled by these words and thoughts of peace and harmony. In my opinion, the main mission of today's media forum should be as follows: "Words should serve peace, solidarity and unity". In this context, your role as honourable members of the press, is absolutely  essential.Your professional impartiality will also contribute to changing the world.Today, the world is facing major challenges such as global pandemics, economic uncertainties, political tensions and climate change which are all affecting societies worldwide. Only culture will protect and save us from all such negativities; there is no alternative to culture, truth and reality!
 

Dear members of the press media,
News, documentaries, films, music and other media content are more influential today than ever before in spreading cultural exchange and understanding, raising public awareness and sharing information. As individuals with a duty to be courageous, honest and national, you have the responsibility to be the voice of society and to ensure the right of access to information. Thanks to your creativity and innovative approaches, you build bridges between different cultures, increase understanding and cooperation. This is a very critical task! As TURKSOY, we are always with you and will be your supporters!". The opening speeches were folllowed by sessions on various topics. 

The session on "Unity through Media. Perspectives from the Turkic World" moderated by Salim Ezer, Head of the Department of Communication and Informatics of TURKSOY featured paper presentations by Hasan Öymez, Deputy General Director of TRT, Sedat Sağırkaya, General Coordinator of TRT Avaz, Kudratkhuja Sherzodkhon, President of the National Media Union of Uzbekistan, Anna Belikova, Lecturer at Moscow State University, Russian Presidential Academy and Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Founder of the "Club of Orientals", Director of Protocol and External Relations of RT Television Channel; "Magtumguly Pyragy's Creativity and His Influence on World Literature" moderated by Ogulnabat Gochova, Head of the Department of Modern Turkmen Language and History of the Mahtumkulu Institute of Language, Literature and National Manuscripts of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Mehmet Hanefi Uzunçam, Director of "Turkmeneli TV" of the Republic of Türkiye, the President of the Union of Journalists of the Kyrgyz Republic Abdykadyr Sultanbayev, the Director of the "Teleradiocomplex" under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aldan Nagashybek, the President of the Jalaluddin Menguberni Foundation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Professor of Historical Sciences Bekzod Abdurahimov, Montreal Commercial College. 

The session on "News, Websites, Artificial Intelligence - The Development and Role of Social Networks" moderated by Prof. Dr. Javad Mottaghi from the Office of International Relations and Cooperation of the Montreal School of Commerce featured presentations by Frederic Franc, Director of Educational Affairs of the European Broadcasting Union, Mukhail Gusman, Deputy General Director of "ITAR- TASS", Irina Kuzminskaya, Head of the Education Department of the Russian International Television and Radio Company "MIR" and Alexander Lebedev, General Director of the "Big Asia" Media Company.
 

The session on "The Impact of Films on Television" moderated by the famous film producer Akim Mogaji, one of the founders of the platform "New Media Networks" featured paper presentations by  Shukhratulla Rizaev, Deputy Director General of the Cinematography Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Dali Okropiridze, Head of the Representative Office of the International "Golden Knight" Film Forum and Ilhami Ümit Erzurumlu, Director of the company "New Media Design" of Great Britain.

The Forum ended with a group photograph taken as a remembrance of the day following the reading of the Final Declaration.