― 16 августа 2026 г.
The 9th Great Hun-Turk Kurultai began with a grand ceremony in Hungary
Organised with the support of TURKSOY, the Kurultai once again highlighted the deep-rooted cultural ties between the Turkic World and Hungary in Bugač.
The 9th Great Hun-Turkic Congress, held in the Bacs-Kiskun region of Hungary, opened with a grand ceremony attended by high-level representatives, artists and scholars from 27 Turkic-speaking states and nations.
Held by the Hungarian Turan Foundation between August 14th-16th, 2026 with the support of TURKSOY, the Congress ranks among the world’s most comprehensive traditional gatherings dedicated to the preservation of the shared historical memory, cultural heritage and bonds of brotherhood of Hun-Turkic peoples.
The congress which began with a ceremony and opening speeches of András Bíró, the President of the Hungarian Turan Foundation, and László Szabó, Mayor of Bugac was attended by TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, the Secretary General of the Organisation of Turkic States H.E. Mr. Kubanychbek Omuraliyev, the Deputy Chairman of the AK Party and Head of Relations with the Turkic States Prof. Dr. Kürşad Zorlu and the President of the Turkic Academy Prof. Dr Şahin Mustafayev, the President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency Abdullah Eren as well as heads of diplomatic missions based in Budapest and numerous distinguished guests from various regions of the Turkic World.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev expressed his pleasure to be back in kindred Hungary on the occasion of the Great Hun-Turkic Kurultai, and thanked the Hungarian Government, the Hungarian Turan Foundation and everyone who contributed to the organisation of the event.
Emphasising that the bonds between the Turkic World and the Hungarian people reach out from the depths of history to the present day, Secretary General Raev stated: “Today, here, we hear the voice of our shared memory. In the clatter of horses’ hooves we see our past; in the melodies of the kopuz we see our inner world; and in the fluttering flags we see our shared future. Distances have not weakened this bond because hearts of kindred peoples know no boundaries drawn on maps.”
Describing the Great Hun-Turkic Kurultai as a great arena of brotherhood where shared roots are being revived, Secretary General Raev stated that TURKSOY will further pursue its efforts to preserve the shared cultural heritage, introduce it to the world and pass it on to future generations.
Participants of the 20th Photographers’ Gathering of TURKSOY at the Assembly
Photographers who took part in this year’s 20th Photographers’ Gathering of TURKSOY also attended the Great Hun-Turkic Assembly.
To preserve the visual memory of the Congress and the shared cultural heritage of the Hun-Turkic peoples, photographers from various countries of the Turkic World captured the colourful atmosphere of the Congress, the traditional costumes, the horse-riding displays, the cultural events and the spirit of brotherhood through their lenses.
A celebration of shared culture in Bugaç
The three-day Kurultai will feature traditional music and dance performances, parades of mounted units, performances of nomadic life, archery and martial arts displays, craft exhibitions, as well as events in the fields of archaeology and anthropology.
In the Attila Tent, one of the event’s iconic structures, works reflecting the shared historical heritage of the Huns, Turks and Hungarians will be exhibited, whilst in the yurts belonging to related peoples, traditional way of life, handicrafts and national values will be introduced to visitors.
As one of the significant cultural gatherings symbolising the deep-rooted friendship between the Turkic World and Hungary, the Great Hun-Turkic Kurultai will continue to pass on the spirit of shared history, culture and brotherhood to future generations on the Bugac steppe.
