― 3 декабря 2025 г.
Presentation of a book on "The Literature of Turkic Peoples" at TURKSOY Headquarters
The comprehensive work on ‘Turkic Peoples' Literature’ written by the Azerbaijani scholar Prof. Dr. Elman Guliyev, which addresses the shared literary heritage of the Turkic World as a whole, was presented in an event organised by the Secretariat General of TURKSOY.
The launching event, held on December 3rd, 2025 was attended by TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev and the former President of the Turkish Language Institution Prof. Dr. Şükrü Haluk Akalın along with scholars, authors, diplomats and many guests from the Turkic World.
‘Turkic Peoples' Literature’ and the Classification of Shared Cultural Heritage
This comprehensive work which is the result of an intensive research by the Azerbaijani scholar Prof. Dr. Elman Guliyev, is a pioneering study on the literature heritage of Turkic-speaking peoples within a historical context. The book charts the course of Turkic literature across a large variety of regions ranging from the location of the Orkhon Inscriptions to Anatolia, Azerbaijan, Central Asia and the Caucasus to the Volga-Ural region and the Balkans.
It examines many key figures, from Yunus Emre to Fuzûlî, from Nizamî to Ali Sher Navoi, and from Chingis Aitmatov to Abay Kunanbayoğlu, along with the literary traditions they represent, from a comparative and integrative perspective. The work which goes beyond being a merely academic resource, seeks to keep the cultural memory of the Turkic World alive and pass on the shared heritage to future generations.
In his opening speech, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev emphasised the great importance of the work presenting the literature of the Turkic peoples within a historical and cultural context and said: "At TURKSOY, our fundamental mission is to preserve, promote and transmit the culture, art, language and common values of Turkic peoples to future generations. Prof. Dr. Elman Guliyev's work is a valuable source of reference which precisely serves this mission. This book comprehensively addresses the literature of Turkic peoples living across in the Turkic World stretching from the Orkhon Inscriptions to Anatolia, Azerbaijan, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Volga-Ural region, and the Balkans. In this respect, the work once again demonstrates how deep-rooted and strong our common identity and cultural ties are."
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Şükrü Haluk Akalın noted that the period in which the book was published had a special significance, pointing to UNESCO's declaration of December 15 as ‘World Turkic Language Family Day’ and the 100th anniversary of the First Turkology Congress held in Baku in 2026.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by a panel discussion during which Mr. Samir Abbasov, the Director of the Azerbaijan Cultural Centre, Prof. Dr. Fırat Purtaş, lecturer at the Gazi University, and Mr. Turan Gafarlı, a postgraduate student at the Ankara University, shared their assessments of the work from academic, cultural and youth perspectives.
Speaking at the panel, Prof. Dr. Fırat Purtaş emphasised that this work serves the ideal of unity in the Turkic World, stating: "It brings together the legacy of many pioneering figures, from Yunus Emre to Namık Kemal, from Nizami to Ali Şir Nevai, and from Abay to Chingis Aitmatov. This work is fully in line with TURKSOY's mission."
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Elman Guliyev expressed his hope that the book, which he prepared with over 30 years of accumulated knowledge, shall contribute to viewing the literature of the Turkic World as a whole.
At the end of the event, Prof. Dr. Elman Guliyev was handed over the Medal of TURKSOY in recognition of his valuable contributions to the culture and literature of the Turkic World.
The event ended with a group photograph taken as a remembrance of the day.
