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
