TURKPA attended opening ceremony of “Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2025”

On 5 April 2025, the TURKPА delegation led by Secretary General Mehmet Süreyya Er attended the official opening ceremony of "Aktau – the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2025", which was organized jointly by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY). The event aimed at expanding cultural cooperation among the Turkic states and glorifying common values was attended by the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva, Minister of Culture, Information and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic Mirbek Mambetaliyev, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Murad Huseynov, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye Serdar Çam, Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan Nursahet Sirimov, Secretary General of TURKPA Mehmet Süreyya Er, President of the Turkic Academy Shahin Mustafayev, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Aktoty Raimkulova, Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Merey Mukazhan, Member of the Hungarian National Assembly Péter Hoppál, Governor of Mangystau region Nurdaulet Kilybai. Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva, Secretary General of TURKSOY Sultan Raev and Governor of Mangystau region Nurdaulet Kilybay delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Mrs. Aida Balayeva congratulated the gathered audience, noted that the coming year promises a variety of activities that will allow deep experience of the spirit of the Turkic culture and delivered a message from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In his letter, the President noted that the proclamation of the city of Aktau as the “Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2025” is an important event not only for Kazakhstan, but also for all fraternal Turkic states. Mr. Raev underscored that the decision to name Aktau as the “Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2025” was far from arbitrary: "This year, Aktau will become a true center of the Turkic culture, where our brotherly nations will strengthen their cultural and literary ties, exchange traditions, and deepen their mutual understanding", he expressed with great optimism. Governor of Mangystau region Nurdaulet Kilybai congratulated the assembled residents and guests. Mr. Kilybai called on everyone to visit the Mangystau region – a land of legends and sages, saints and warriors. During the festive events organized as part of the opening ceremony, choreographic performances were presented, highlighting the shared heritage of Turkic peoples. The nomadic civilization with a millennia-old history, the legacy of ancestors, and spiritual continuity – all of these were brought to life on stage in a new light. The ceremony also featured the demonstration of Turkic fine handcrafts and the Turkic yurts. The event concluded with an official dinner in honor of the guests. Secretary General Mehmet Süreyya Er was accompanied by Acting Secretary of the Commission on Education, Culture, Social and Humanitarian Affairs Aigerim Taalaibekova and staff member of the TURKPA Secretariat Suzanna Kazimova, during the event.