A gala concert titled “We are Together” was held in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the International Organization of Turkic Culture – TURKSOY at the Heydar Aliyev Center on October 15.
The significance of October 15 and the hoisting of the Azerbaijani flag in Khankandi by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev as a continuation of the historic victory of our people were specially noted on this night. The fulfillment of all the promises made by President Ilham Aliyev to the people of Azerbaijan when he was elected head of state 20 years ago and the feeling of pride with the Azerbaijani flag flying all over Karabakh were also emphasized.
Ms. Farah Aliyeva, Head of the Humanitarian Policy, Diaspora, Multiculturalism, and Religious Affairs Department of the President Administration, read out the congratulation letter addressed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev to the participants of the event devoted to the 30th anniversary of TURKSOY.
The Secretary General of TURKSOY, Sultan Raev, took the floor and provided a concise overview of the organization's journey, expressing his satisfaction that the next significant ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of TURKSOY was taking place in Baku city.
In a special moment, distinguished figures of culture and art in Azerbaijan were honored with the "Sharaf" order for their remarkable contributions to the promotion of Turkic world culture. The recipients included People's Artist Nuraddin Mehdikhanli (theatre), People's Artists Farhad Khalilov and Sakit Mammadov (fine arts), People's Writer Elchin (literature), People's Artist Faig Sujaddinov (music), People's Artist Shafiga Mammadova (cinema), and People's Artist, composer Polad Bulbuloghlu.
The event continued with the concert program presented by the art collectives from the member states and regions of the organization.
Interesting performances such as “Together”, “TURKSOY 30 years”, “The Caravanserai Center on Shaki – Silk way)”, “Karabakh” vocal – choreographic composition, as well as “The Altercation of the National Instruments of the Turkic World” were presented during the program.
Art collectives from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Northern Cyprus, and Khakassia (RF) took the stage during the program.
The concert program ended with the “Azerbaijan – the Land of Fires” composition, in which all collectives and soloists participated.
The event participants also got acquainted with the exhibition organized on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of TURKSOY at the Heydar Aliyev Center.
It should be noted, that the International Organization of Turkic Culture, known as TURKSOY, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. In 1993, a treaty was signed during the meeting held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, by the ministers of culture from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkiye, and Turkmenistan. This treaty led to the establishment of the "Common Administration of Turkic Culture and Arts," or TÜRKSOY. In 2009, the organization was renamed as the International Organization of Turkic Culture, and its headquarters are located in Ankara, Turkiye.
