The 4th Student Theatre Festival of the Turkic World ended with a wonderful closing ceremony
Organised under the auspices of the International Organisation for Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) and supported by the Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Turkish-Kazakh University, the Regional Administration of Turkistan, the Municipal Council of Turkistan, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Kazakh Ministry of Culture, the 4th International Student Theatre Festival of the Turkic World, held in the city of Turkistan in Kazakhstan, from Otober 5th to October 8th, 2026, ended with a magnificent closing ceremony of awards. Young theatre performers from across the Turkic World received their awards following four days of outstanding performances.
The 4th Student Theatre Festival of the Turkic World ended with a wonderful closing ceremony: ‘Chanel No 5 (ALJIR)’ received the ‘Best Play’ awardThe development of theatre and the exuberance of Turkish Language on Stage
In the speech he delivered at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Israfil Israfilov, who chaired the international jury composed of scholars, directors and state artists, congratulated the young talents. Expressing his delight at witnessing different theatre schools and themes on the same stage, Prof. Dr. Israfilov highlighted the key role played by the development of the art of theatre in the development of Turkic culture and societies.
Eray Eserol, a master artist and member of the jury, expressed his strong appreciation of the energy displayed by young performers on stage with the following words: “The youthful energy we witnessed on stage has reinforced our hopes for the future of our theatre. The fact that our common language, Turkish, resonated so powerfully through our young people filled us all with great pride. The unifying atmosphere I experienced at this event of TURKSOY which I have attended for the first time, once again proves the importance of the mission undertaken by this Organisation for the cultural unity of the Turkic World.”
A Message to Young Talents from Azimbek Pazılbekulı, the Mayor of Turkistan
Taking the scene at the closing session of the ceremony, Mr. Azimbek Pazılbekulı, the Mayor of Turkistan, addressed the young theatre performers and art lovers and expressed his pride at hosting the event, saying: “I would like to welcome you to the heart of the entire Turkic World, the sacred city of Turkistan, revered by our kindred peoples. Hosting the 4th International Student Theatre Festival of TURKSOY on this occasion is a special honour for us, the people of Turkistan. Hence, I would particularly like to emphasise that the gathering of young theatre professionals and art ensembles from the Turkic World in Turkistan is a historic event.”
Mayor Pazılbekulı concluded his speech, thanking participants and all those who contributed to the organisation of the event on behalf of the people of the region.
The Turkic World on stage: Awards handed over to their winners
At the festival, where teams from universities of kindred nations staged a range of valuable productions, awards were presented in prestigious categories following the judging process.
The standout plays and winning universities were as follows:
- Best Play: Faculty of Arts, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Turkish-Kazakh University – ‘Chanel No 5 (ALJIR)’
- Best Stage Adaptation of World Literature: Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts – ‘The Cuckoo’
- Best Stage Adaptation of Classical Drama: T. Jurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts – ‘Karagöz’
- Best Adaptation of a Historical Theme: K. Bayseyitova Kazakh National University of Arts – ‘Kozı Körpeş - Bayan Sulu’
- Best Stage Design: Department of Performing Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University – ‘Everything will fall into place’
- Best Stage Adaptation of National Folklore: Uzbekistan State Institute of Art and Culture – ‘The Turkmen Healer’
- Best Adaptation of a National Theme: Turkmenistan State Institute of Civilisation – ‘Bedev Sarpası’
- Best Stage Performance: B. Beyşenaliyeva, Kyrgyz State University of Culture and Arts – ‘Canıl Mırza’
The ceremony ended with a group photograph of award-winning ensembles and young artists of the Turkic World who expressed their hopes to meet again at the next festival.
Medya Galerisi
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