― 27 сентября 2025 г.
Nogai Culture presented at TURKSOY Headquarters
The Secretariat General of the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) hosted the Day of Nogai Culture to intrduce the rich cultural heritage of the Nogai people, one of the ancient peoples of the Turkic World. The event was organised to pass on the historical and cultural values of the Nogais to future generations and to strengthen cultural ties within the Turkic World.
The event which began with a video presentation on TURKSOY went on with an opening speech by Mr. Sayit Yusuf, the Deputy Secretary General of TURKSOY who stressed that every Turk, regardless of the place he or she lives in the world, is equally precious further said:
"We are the heirs of a deep-rooted history, a shared culture and an unshakeable brotherhood. The Nogais have enriched the Turkic World with their unique poetry, music and heroic tales. We will continue to promote Nogai culture and pass it on to future generations, just as we do today."
Mr. Engin Demirok, the President of the Nogai Culture and Solidarity Association, who touched upon activities carried out by the association since 1998 to preserve the Nogay identity and pass it on to new generations, said: ‘Peoples who lose their culture also lose their identity. We are deeply aware of this fact and therefore bear a great responsibility to preserve Nogai culture and pass it on to future generations.’
At the event, Associate Professor Dr Hacı Murat Arabacı, Director of the Beytepe Gendarmerie Non-Commissioned Officer Vocational School of the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy, also gave a comprehensive presentation on the nomadic lifestyle, tradition of heroism, and contributions to Turkish World civilisation throughout history. Prof. Dr. Arabacı stated that the Nogais lived in a planned and conscious ‘nomadic’ culture rather than being “nomadic” and expressed that the two most important elements which Turkic peoples contributed to world civilisation with were ‘the domestication of horses’ and ‘the widespread use of the wheel’.
Mr. Mustafa Çelik, the Director of Ankara Provincial Youth and Sports, one of the guests of honour at the programme, also delivered a short welcoming speech, stating that they support efforts to preserve Nogai culture.
Following the speeches, examples of Nogai literature and poetry were presented. The poet Hamza Kızıldağ recited selected poems and texts from Nogai oral tradition. This was followed by a performance of Nogai artists Zukhra Bulgarova and Uzair Naimanov who played the dombra and enchanted the audience with beuatiful Nogai melodies.
Music and dance performances prepared by young artists also added a special touch to the event which ended with the handover of plaquettes and flowers.
