The city of Shusha in Azerbaijan, which was chosen as the "Cultural Capital of the Turkic World" for 2023 by the unanimous votes of the culture ministers of the Turkic World, is preparing to host the events.
According to the written statement made by the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY), Shusha will host the events to be held on May 11-13.
Within the scope of the program, preparations have been completed in the city that will host hundreds of artists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, TRNC, Altay, Khakas, Saha-Yakut, Tatarstan and Tıva, which are the founding and observer countries of TURKSOY.
Hundreds of international events are organized with the participation of visiting artists and scientists within the scope of the program, in which a city from the Turkic World is chosen every year.
In the process that started with Kazakhstan's city of Astana in 2012, Turkey's Eskişehir in 2013, Kazan of Tatarstan in 2014, Turkmenistan's Merv in 2015, Sheki of Azerbaijan in 2016, Turkistan of Kazakhstan in 2017, Kastamonu of Turkey in 2018, Osh of Kyrgyzstan in 2019, Khiva of Uzbekistan in 2020, Bursa city of Turkey in 2022 had this title.
"The Turkic flag is waving, our voices are echoing"
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) on the subject, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev stated that they are very excited to bring the Turkic World together in Shusha and said, "Shusha is a temple of art for us, the cradle of Azerbaijani music that inspires the world, the representation of our Union, the source of our strength, the enthusiasm of our soul. That's why we're so excited."
Raev pointed out that the people of culture and art calling out to the world from Shusha are very important not only for Azerbaijan but also for the entire Turkic World, and said:
"We are ready to bring the whole Turkic World together in Shusha, where many names who made great contributions not only to the Turkic World but also to the world culture and civilization of the Azerbaijan. With the glorious victory presented to us by the heroic people of Azerbaijan, our land is no longer the place of tears, sorrow, pain and tragedy, but the place of our freedom, independence and brotherhood. Just yesterday, gunfire and mine explosions were heard in the ancient lands of our Shusha, while today the songs of the whole Turkic world are being sung, the Turkic flag is waving and our voices are echoing in the vast mountains of Karabakh."
Emphasizing that Shusha is a city that has already deserved the title of Cultural Capital of the Turkic World, Raev said that with the decision taken by the ministers of culture, they have prepared many activities in Shusha in 2023.
Raev, "We continue to introduce the richness of our civilization to both our peoples and the world with the Turkic World Capital of Culture program."
The opening program will begin on Friday
A large number of guests will attend the events to be organized by the TÜRKSOY organization, hosted by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan.
In addition to Ministers and representatives of diplomatic missions from TURKSOY member countries, the Secretary General and heads of Turkic Cooperation Organizations will also take part in the event.
The opening program will start on Friday, May 12 at 12:00 Azerbaijan time.