― 4 августа 2023 г.
International Turkic World Festival of Karaman
The fifth International Turkic World Festival hosted by the Municipality of Karaman and organized with the contribution of TURKSOY, started with a garland ceremony at the monument of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in the Republic Park (Cumhuriyet Parkı) on August 3rd, 2023.
The ceremony was followed by the inauguration of the photography exhibition which was opened with the participation of TURKSOY Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf as well as the Mayor of Karaman Mr. Savaş Kalaycı and members of the Municipal Council.
The opening speech of the exhibition titled "Uzbekistan through the Eyes of Photographers of the Turkic World" was delivered by TURKSOY Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf who said: "Such exhibitions opened within the framework of our festival make a great contribution to the promotion of the historical, touristic and cultural sites of our countries as well as the lifestyle, traditions and customs, handicrafts and spiritual values of our Turkic communities. TURKSOY, has always been committed to the promotion of different cultures with the contribution of artists invited from different countries and regions every year since the first day of its establishment." and thanked Mayor of Karaman Municipality Savaş Kalaycı and his team for their warm-hearted hospitality.
The photography exhibition, which reflected every region of Uzbekistan, was welcomed with great interest by protocol members and art lovers.
After the exhibition, the Deputy Secretary General of TURKSOY and the artists from Uzbekistan met with the Mayor Savaş Kalaycı in his office. During the visit, mutual gifts were presented in memory of the day.
In the evening, an enthusiastic cortege march was held with the slogans "Love of Turkish, Love of Homeland" accompanied by the members of the protocol, art troupes from Turkey and abroad, and the crowded people of Karaman.
Immediately after the cortege march, Uzbekistan State Philharmonic "Bukharcha" Dance and Music Ensemble, Silifke Folklore Team and Caucasian Stars Ensemble accompanied by Uzbek singer Kholmurod Khorinov took the stage at Aktekke 15 July Democracy Square.
During the performances, Mayor of Karaman Savaş Kalaycı and Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf were invited to deliver a speech. In his speech Mr. Yusuf said: "Dear fellow citizens, on behalf of TURKSOY, the International Organization of Turkic Culture, I greet you most sincerely. Karaman is the capital of Turkish, the hometown of Yunus Emre... Yunus Emre on the one hand addresses the hearts, on the other hand Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey, guides the statesmen. Therefore, I would like to thank the Mayor of Karaman for giving me the honour of raising the "Red Apple" with his descendants in the hometown of Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey, who ordered us to use our Turkish language, which we will carry from past to present, and from the present to the future, in every place, in the assembly, in the court and everywhere." and stressed that the next festivals will be much richer in terms of artists and delegations from the Turkic World.
Mayor Savaş Kalaycı expressed his gratitude to TURKSOY , saying: "We have been carrying out our festival together with TURKSOY since the first day and we will continue to carry out our work with TURKSOY from now on".
The International Karaman Turkish World Festival, which was initiated by the Municipality of Karaman in 2019 and has been celebrated with enthusiasm every year since then, will continue with beautiful shows, festivals and concerts in the Turkish World Park until August 6th, 2023.
