― 11 июля 2026 г.
Meeting of Secretary General Raev with Turkish Intellectuals and Opinion Leaders in North Macedonia
Within the framework of his visit to North Macedonia upon official invitation of its Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Ljutkov, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, came together with Turkish intellectuals, opinion leaders, scholars, artists, journalists, and representatives of civil society organizations in an event held at the Yiğit Paşa Cultural Center in Skopje, organized under the coordination of the Turkish Embassy in Skopje.
The event gathered the President of MATUSITEB Mr. Tahsin Ibrahim, the Head of the Department of Turkish Language and Literature at St. Cyril and Methodius University Mr. Osman Emin, the Head of the Department of Turkish Language and Literature at the International University of the Balkans Mr. Ekrem Destanov, the Member of the Faculty of Drama and Arts of the International University of the Balkans Mr. Atilla Klinçe, the Director of the Turkish Theater Mr. Osman Ali, the journalist and President of the Turkish Intellectuals' Council Mr. Eran Hasip, the President of the Köprü Association Mr. Hüsrev Emin, the Vice President of MATUSITEB and poet Mr. Mehmed Arif, the Director of the Yiğit Paşa Cultural Center Emin Ismail, the Editor-in-Chief and Author of the Köprü Journal Mrs. Leyla Şerif Emin, the owner of the Yeni Balkan Newspaper Mr. Murtaza Sulooca, the Editor-in-Chief of the Time Journal Mr. Seyyid Emin, the Research Fellow of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts Mr. Numan Aruç, the Research Fellow of the Folklore Institute Mr. Aktan Ago, the folklore instructor Mr. Timur Torgay Mrs. Yudum Görmüş from the St. Cyril and Methodius University.
Representing Turkish institutions and organizations at the meeting were Third Secretary Irem Nur Taşer attending the meeting on behalf of the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Skopje H.E. Mr. Fatih Ulusoy, the General Manager of HALKBANK Macedonia Mr. Fatih Şahbaz, the Educational Advisor from the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Skopje Mr. Ali Rıza Altunel, the Coordinator of the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center Mr. Yunus Dilber and the Country Coordinator for North Macedonia at the Maarif Foundation of Türkiye Mr. Osman Demirgül.
Speaking at the event, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev noted that the Turkish community in North Macedonia is one of the most important custodians of Turkish cultural heritage in the Balkans, and highlighted the responsibility assumed by intellectuals and civil society organizations in the preservation of Turkish language, literature, and cultural identity.
Noting that despite the fact that this is his first visit to North Macedonia he is well aware of the region’s historical and cultural significance for the Turkic World, Secretary General Raev emphasized that the Turkish community living in North Macedonia is an integral part of the Turkic World through its language, literature, traditions, and historical memory.
Recalling that he is also an author, Secretary General Raev stated that literature is one of the most powerful means to preserve and transmit the spirit and memory of societies to future generations. Noting that Macedonian Turkish literature is a precious component of the literature of the Turkic World, Secretary General Raev also mentioned he noted that many figures who emerged from this region—including Necati Zekeriya, Şükrü Ramo, Avni Engüllü, Sabit Yusuf, and Fahri Ali—have made significant contributions to the preservation of the Turkish language and Turkish literature.
Secretary General Raev further emphasized that the shared cultural and intellectual heritage of the Turkic World is not limited to Anatolia and noted that the great literary and intellectual legacy spanning from Chingis Aitmatov to Abay and from Magtumguly Pyragy to Yunus Emre is the foundation of a shared future.
In his speech, Secretary General Raev also touched upon the Yuruk culture in North Macedonia and said that through their languages, traditions, music, clothing and way of life, the Yuruk people of the Balkans represent the living memory of Turkish culture in this region. Secretary General Raev also noted that the book on “Yuruk Culture and the Nomadic Turks in Photographs” written by Izzet Ibrahimsoylu and published by TURKSOY serves as an important means to promote this cultural heritage.
Emphasizing that the preservation of Turkish language is a fundamental prerequisite for the preservation of cultural identity, Secretary General Raev said that the celebration of December 21st as Turkish Language Education Day which is an official holiday in North Macedonia represents a significant achievement symbolizing the presence of the Turkish language and Turkish identity in these lands.
Refering to the importance of civil society organizations such as MATUSITEB in particular, as well as educational and cultural institutions, media outlets, artists, academics, and opinion leaders working together, Raev noted that strong institutions make a major contribution to the preservation of cultural identity and its transmission to future generations.
Secretary General Raev who also noted that TURKSOY’s “heartland” is not limited to member countries alone, added that every region where Turkic culture thrives actually holds significance for TURKSOY, and that the Balkans and North Macedonia are among the vibrant centers of this vast cultural heritage.
Recalling that to date, numerous joint initiatives including Turkology programs, literary gatherings, theater events, Nowruz celebrations, Hıdırellez programs, youth activities, and meetings of painters and photographers, Secretary General Raev noted that North Macedonian artists and cultural figures have participated in events carried out in “Cultural Capitals of the Turkic World” as well as in festivals, exhibitions, and youth gatherings and added: “I know that we have previously hosted some of you in various cities throughout the Turkic World. It is our sincere wish to welcome all of you in the Turkic World and we do look forward to working together on different projects and wide-scope activities in the coming period.”
Noting that the cooperation protocol recently signed by TURKSOY with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of North Macedonia has raised mutual ties to a more institutional level, Secretary General Raev added that the protocol will be implemented through joint publications, literature gatherings, panels, youth events, cultural days, and artistic events.
Emphasizing that TURKSOY attaches particular importance to ensuring that the voice of the Turkish community in North Macedonia is being heard on shared cultural platforms of the Turkic World, Secretary General Raev invited participants to establish closer contact with TURKSOY and to share their ideas and project proposals.
In the meeting, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, participants provided information on activities of the Turkish community living in North Macedonia in the fields of culture, art, literature, education, and the media while also sharing their views and suggestions as to joint projects which could be implemented together with TURKSOY.
Following a mutual exchange of views and suggestions, the meeting ended with a group photograph taken as a remembrance of the day.
