Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2016: Sheki

Sheki, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2016 hosted a wonderful opening ceremony organized in cooperation of TURKSOY with  the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan and the Governorate of Sheki.

The opening event held on April 29th, 2016 took place in the cultural capital village built in the garden of the historical Han Palace and featured performances of guest artists from countries of the Turkic World as well as folkd dances and a handcrafts’ exhibition from Azerbaijan. Another highlight of the opening event of the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2016 was the Ceremony of Press Awards of TURKSOY.

The opening ceremony of Sheki,  the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2016 took place in the presence of  the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan  Ebulfes Garayev, the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser and the Governor of Sheki Elhan Usubov along with representatives of diplomatic missions, Members of Parliament and many guests.

TURKSOY Secretary General  Dusen Kaseinov who delivered a speech at the opening ceremony said that the declaration of one city of the Turkic World as its cultural capital every year has brough about a considerable liveliness to culture and art and expressed his gratitude to Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan  Ebulfes Garayev on behalf of the Ministers of Culture of TURKSOY member countries.

In the speech he delivered at the event, the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan  Ebulfes Garayev said that Sheki is the symbol of Azerbaijani cities as well as of Turkic cities. Mr. Garayev further said that Sheki is a World-class city in terms of its cultural heritage and that “Azerbaijan cannot be thought about without Sheki”.

The UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser  who attended the event as a guest of honour  expressed his happiness to be in Sheki and stressed that with its rich cultural heritage, Sheki, the  Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2016 will contribute to the growth of the country’s tourism and economy.

The opening speeches were followed by a concert featuring colourful performances of artists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey who took their audience onto an unforgettable journey to the wonderful music and art of  the Turkic World.

Press Awards of TURKSOY handed over to their winners

As a traditional event held by TURKSOY every year, Press Awards of TURKSOY took place for  the seventh time within the framework of opening events of the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2016.

This year, the Press Award of TURKSOY featuring a statue based on the theme “Unity for Strength” was handed over to 15 journalists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Gagauzia (Moldova) and Macedonia. The statue inspired from the Oghuz Khan Legend  is being handed over to personalities and institutions in recognition  of their valubale contribution to the preservation and the transmission of the rich cultural heritage of the Turkic World to future generations.  With this award, TURKSOY expresses its gratitude to the media sector and its members for their great contribution to the building of cultural bridges among countries.

Sheki

The city of Sheki which will be hosting hundreds of cultural and artistic events throughout the year within the framework of its declaration as Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2016 is one of the oldest cities of Azerbaijan as well as an important touristic destination of the country. Located in the North Western part of Azerbaijan, Sheki also features many historical monuments and attracts tourists from all over the World throughout the year thanks to its geographical position, beautiful landscapes and typical regional accent.

The city of Sheki which is  located next to the Kish river on the foothills of two-thousand-meter high mountains covered with oak forests,  is famous for its healing waters and sericulture. With its many historical monuments, it is a city which preserves and transmits Turkic culture to future generations.

The Cultural Capital of the Turkic World

Upon decision of the Heads of States of Turkic Speaking Countries  at their 10th Summit held in Istanbul in 2010, one city of the Turkic World is being declared as its Cultural Capital every year. Within the framework of this initiative launched by TURKSOY, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2012 was Astana, followed by Eskisehir in  2013, Kazan in 2014 and Merv in 2015.

Following the unanimous decision of Ministers of Culture of TURKSOY member countries at the 33rd Term Meeting of the Permanent Council of TURKSOY held in Merv, Turkmenistan, the city of Sheki, Azerbaijan, was declared Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2016.

Within the framework of events to celebrate the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World, hundreds of artistic and cultural events have been held so far, gathering artists, scholars and intellectuals from all countries of the World and giving them the opportunity to exchange their experiences by means of cultural interaction.

Cultural Capitals of the Turkic World do not only make it possible for artists and scholars of the Turkic to come together but also  gives a major impetus to the cultural integration process of Turkic Republics.

Winners of TURKSOY Press Awards 2016 

AZERBAIJAN

Shaik MEMMEDOV – “Ictimai TV” Channel and Deputy Director General of Socio-political  Programmes

Hikmet MEMMEDOV – Editor in Chief of  the “Yeni Azerbaycan” (New Azerbaijan ) Newspaper

Aydın GULIYEV – Editor in Chief of  the “Baku - Haber” (Baku-News) Newspaper

KAZAKHSTAN

Aleksandr TARAKOV – Director General of the “Kazakstanskaya Pravda” Newspaper

Nuroöre JUSIP – Editor in Chief of  the “Aykyn” Newspaper

Rovshen MEMMEDOGLU – Editor in Chief of  the “Ahyzka” Newspaper

KYRGYZSTAN

Abdilamit JUMASHEV – Editor in Chief of  the “Jetigen” Journal

Munduzbek TENTIMISEV – Freelance Journalist

TURKEY

Mustafa KARTOGLU – Representative of the “Star” Newspaper in Ankara

Oguz DEMIR – Editor of the “Hurriyet” Newspaper

Yalcın TOPCU – Founding Chairman of the “Yerli Düşünce” (Local View)

TURKMENISTAN

Ashirbek BAYMURADOV – Broadcasting Director of the State Television, Radio and Cinema Board of Turkmenistan

UZBEKISTAN

Umida MANIYAZOVA – Reporter of the Central Asia News Agency

GAGAUZIA (Moldova)

Gheorghi IALANJI -  Head of the Press Service of the Governor of Gagauzia 

MACEDONIA

Bunyamin LIMAN -  News Reporter of the  “Yeni Balkan” (New Balkan) Newspaper