― 1 июня 2025 г.

International Conference on ‘The Grey Wolf Totem of the Turkic World’

The sacred Otpan Mountain in Kazakhstan's Mangystau region hosted an international conference on ‘The Grey Wolf, Totem of the Turkic World’ as part of Aktau's role as the 2025 Capital of Turkic World Culture. The event, held on  May 29th, 2025 at the ‘Aday Ata – Otpan Mountain’ History and Culture Centre, aimed at exploring the historical, cultural, and mythological meanings of the Grey Wolf, one of the common symbols of Turkic peoples.
 

Dr. Timur B. Davletov,  expert from TURKSOY, greeted the conference participants on behalf of TURKSOY  Secretary General Sultan Raev and presented a  paper on “The White Wolf in the Context of Khakas Shamanism”.

The conference was attended by numerous scholars, researchers, artists, and representatives from TURKSOY member countries Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Presentations delved into the origins of the Grey Wolf in Turkic mythology, archaeological findings, literary reflections, and its place in contemporary culture. Participants emphasised that the Grey Wolf is not merely a symbol but an ancient cultural code reflecting the unity, revival, and identity consciousness of the Turkic peoples.
 

Following the conference, a symbolic ceremony was held in front of the Grey Wolf statue  at the summit of Otpan Mountain. Participants reaffirmed the place of the Grey Wolf in the history of the Turkic peoples and its unifying power for the future, highlighting the importance of such events in strengthening the common values of the Turkic World.
 

The event was one of the most prominent gatherings among the numerous cultural and academic activities organised to mark Aktau's declaration as the  Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2025. Such events provide play an important role in introducing the common heritage of Turkic peoples and passing it on to future generations.