Opening ceremony of Shusha, Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2023
Shusha, the cradle of civilisation of Azerbaijan and TURKSOY's 2023 Cultural Capital of the Turkic World, opened its doors to the cultural and artistic activities of the Turkic World with the Opening Ceremony, which gathered many high-representatives of the Turkic World.
Shusha, one of the ancient settlements of Azerbaijan, hosted a historic day in cooperation with TURKSOY, the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan and the Shusha Governorate. The guests who came together from different regions of the vast Turkic geography to fly the flag of Shusha 2023 Cultural Capital of the Turkic World and to show Turkic unity and solidarity dispersed the foggy weather of the city with their enthusiasm.
The event held in Shusha, which will bring toghether artşists and intellectuals of the Turkic World throughout 2023, gathered TURKSOY Secretary General Mr. Sultan Raev, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Kerimli, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Shusha Mr. Aydin Kerimov, the Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Mr. Kubanychbek Ozuraliev, the Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Askhat Oralov, the Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Altynbek Maksutov, the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr. Ozodbek Nazarbekov, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment of the TRNC Mr. Fikri Ataoğlu, the President of the International Turkic Academy Mr. Shahin Mustafayev, the President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Mrs. Gunay Efendiyeva, the President of TIKA Mr. Serkan Kayalar, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan Mr. Gurbanmamed Elyasov, the Member of the City Council of Veszprem, the European Capital of Culture 2023 Mr. Rajmund Kovacs and many other guests.
The participants of the event tasted local delicacies such as Uzbek Pilaf, Samarkand Bread and Milk Halva from Bursa at the stands of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Afterwards, the guests went to Shusha city square and watched dances performed by art ensembles from the Turkic World with strong admiration.
"Shusha has a great spiritual significance"
The Opening Ceremony of Shusha, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2023 started following the colourful performances of artist from the Turkic World. In the speech he delivered at the ceremony, the Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Mr. Adil Kerimli, reminded of the fact that Shusha was declared Cultural Capital of the Turkic World and said: "The 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey and the 30th anniversary of TURKSOY are being celebrated in the Turkic World with great enthusiasm. I congratulate TURKSOY on this occasion. Shusha has a great spiritual significance for Azerbaijanis. This city is of great importance in the history, civilization and national development of our people. The great leader Heydar Aliyev, noting that Shusha is the apple of his eye and a cause of pride for every Azerbaijani, said: "It is the symbol of our civilisation and history, Shusha is dear to everyone". During the 30 years of Armenian occupation, 20 per cent of the territory of Shusha and Azerbaijan was plundered and destroyed. During the occupation period, masjids, madrasahs, houses of important figures, tombs and other cultural treasures, which have an important place in the civilization of the entire Turkic world, were subjected to Armenian atrocities. The call to prayer in the restored Shusha mosques is a symbol of the return of Azerbaijani civilisation and traditions to Shusha."
"Shusha is the symbol of unity, solidarity and brotherhood of the Turkic world"
TURKSOY Secretary General Raev said that these once occupied lands are now a place of freedom, independence and brotherhood, not of pain and sorrow.
"These lands are for us the sanctuary of art, the cradle of Azerbaijani music that inspires the world, the centre of the centuries-old art of mugam, the source of our strength, the joy of our soul! With every breath I take here, I feel the glorious history, liberation, freedom and bright future of Azerbaijan. Today, with the glorious victory presented to us by the heroic people of Azerbaijan, these lands will no longer be the place of tears, sorrow, pain and tragedy, but the place of our freedom, independence and brotherhood." Secretary General Raev said: "While only yesterday, gunshots and mine explosions were heard in these ancient lands, today, the folk songs of the entire Turkic World are sung in these lands, and the Turkish flag flies on the vast and lofty mountains of Karabakh. Shusha is the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World. Shusha is the golden bridge of the Turkic World. Today, Shusha is the symbol of unity, solidarity and brotherhood of the Turkic World."
Stating that the victory in Karabakh is first and foremost the victory of the heroic Azerbaijani people, Mr. Raev further said: "This victory is not only the victory of Azerbaijan but also the victory of the Turkic World. Because through this victory, the Turkic World has united and Turkic unity has been strengthened. We carry the historical responsibility bestowed upon us by our ancestors. We have to transfer this trust to future generations."
"The 5th International Youth Festival of the OTS will be held in Shusha"
Stating that for the first time in history, Turkic states are acting under one roof, the Secretary General of the OTS Kubanychbek Omuraliyev said: “One of the most important areas of our cooperation is the field of culture. Today's brotherly Turkic states first came together in the field of culture with the establishment of TURKSOY. We are starting the 5th Youth International Festival of the Organization of Turkic States in Shusha this year with a strong participation of Turkic states. I would like to express my gratitude to TURKSOY and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan for their important role in fostering Turkic culture and hosting the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2023. I wish you success from Shusha, and I hope that it will be auspicious for the entire Turkic World.”
The opening speeches were followed by a concert featuring art ensembles from the Turkic World which gave magnificent performances and were strongly appreciated by the audience.
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