― 14 мая 2025 г.
Turkish Language Day Celebrated in Karaman
The 748th Turkish Language Day and Yunus Emre Commemoration Events, held in Karaman between May 9th-13th, 2025, were celebrated with a comprehensive program highlighting the shared language and cultural heritage of the Turkic World.
Upon invitation of the Governor of Karaman Mr. Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli, the delegation of TURKSOY composed of artists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, participated in the event with music and dance ensembles. The delegation of TURKSOY was headed by Mr. Melik Özsöz, the Special Representative of TURKSOY appointed by Secretary General Sultan Raev. The events were carried out in collaboration with the Governor's Office of Karaman, the Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism of Karaman and the Municipality of Karaman.
The decree issued 748 years ago by Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey, which went down in history with the words, “From now on, no one shall speak any language other than Turkish at the door, in the council, in the assembly, or in public!” is considered the milestone for the acceptance of Turkish as the official language of the state. This historic step elevated Karaman to the status of the Capital of the Turkish Language and laid the foundations of the annual Turkish Language Day celebrations.
TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev sent a congratulatory message on this meaningful occasion, stating: "The decree issued by Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey 748 years ago not only symbolizes the acceptance of Turkish as the official language, but also the foundation of our common identity and cultural integrity. At TURKSOY, we consider it one of our top priorities to keep this historical legacy alive and pass it on to future generations. I sincerely believe that events organized in Karaman on the occasion of the Turkish Language Day will contribute to cultural cooperation in the Turkic World."
On the first day of the events, the Shusha Dance Ensemble of Azerbaijan performed traditional dances at Karaman Millet Park. This was followedcby a special event held under the motto “The World's First Walking Dictionary” at the Karaman Aktekke July 15th Democracy Square. The parade which involved 8,500 students representing the 8,500 words in the Divânü Lügati't-Türk, was a symbolic expression of the value attached to Turkish language. The parade was followed by a joint performance of ensembles affiliated with TURKSOY.
The event went on with performances by artists from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan at the Lütfi Elvan Fair and Congress Center. Each community showcased the cultural richness of the Turkic World through music and dances unique to their respective countries.
The Special Representative of TURKSOY Mr. Melik Özsöz made the following remarks during the event: “At TURKSOY, our primary mission is to preserve the roots of our language, transmit our culture to future generations, and bring together the shared values of the Turkic World. Karaman is not only the heart of the Turkish language but also of our shared history and culture. Being here is about paying homage to our past and building our future together.”
Prof. Dr. Idris Nebi Uysal, the Deputy Rector of the Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University said: "The acceptance of Turkish as an official language is the most fundamental indicator of a nation's identity. This language festival is not only a commemoration of the past; it also provides an important platform for raising awareness about the future of the Turkish language. TURKSOY's active role in this process is of great importance in terms of preserving and promoting our common culture at an institutional level."
TURKSOY's representation in Karaman added institutional depth to this meaningful event, which highlighted the common values of the Turkic World and was a concrete demonstration of the multifaceted cooperation carried out in the fields of language, history, and culture.
