TURKSOY

         In the late 20th century, with the disbandment of the Soviet Union, our world went enrolled into a new period, where the secrets of emphatic and constricted ideological blocks began to surmount and the signs of Cold War era began to fuse. Bearing on mind the rapid increase of the globalization process and the need to protect against the consequences of this cultural erosion, and in order to protect, to keep alive and to transfer the cultural values of the people of Turkish origin and, from this period on, there arose an idea of forming UNESCO suchlike model among the Turkish world. With this demeanor, the ministers of culture of a newly independent five Turkic republics, namely, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan together with Republic of Turkey gathered in Istanbul in order to maintain and strengthen the already existing common cultural presence and agreed to co-operate in the sphere of culture.

        The ministers of culture who were on charge on that period, and who were insist and stable on behalf oh this issue signed a Protocol of Will and formed a Permanent Council of Ministers of Culture in order to support the Turkish language, history and culture, with other words, to support the moral existence of Turkish values. Those contacts continued in Baku, Azerbaijan in the December of 1992. As a consequence of this stable and resolute co-operation, the next year, on 12th of July of 1993, in Alma-Ata, they signed the agreement on Principles of Activities and Establishment of TURKSOY, which it than formed the TURKSOY, which until that that time this agreement was seen as a far-reachable light!; an utopia!

        Than, there were access of countries to the TURKSOY in the capacity of observers and members, namely, Northern Cyprus of Turkish Republic, the Tataristan which is under the rule of Russian Federation, Bashkortostan, Hakasia, Tiva, Saha (Yakut), and autonomous republics of Altay and Special Province of Gagauzia which is bonded to the Moldavia. TURKSOY is an internationally attributed organization which supplies co-operation among the Turkish speaking countries and categorically, does not intervene to the countries executive administration, or domestic or foreign policy, in any case!

        The official writing or correspond language of TURKSOY is the Turkish language which is spoken in Turkey, and its administrative center is in Ankara. Bearing on mind that the TUKSOY is formed according to UNESCO`s model, its main administrative body is general directorate. Mr. Polad Bulbuloglu, the former Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan, was the general director on charge of the TURKSOY between 1994 and 2006. Than, from the 2006-2008, the TURKSOY had general substitution director ad interim. On 28 may of 2008 in Ankara, there was held the 24th Anniversary Meeting of the Permanent Council of the Turkish Speaking Countries and the former Minister of Culture Mr. Duysen Kaseinov, with a consensus/unanimity was elected as a director general of TURKSOY.

          According to the agreement of the organization, the deputy general director of the TURKSOY, is elected by a member of the Republic of Turkey, this is accredited by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Turkey. Mr. Firat Purtas a PhD, is still on charge as organizations deputy director - general.

         TUKSOY, which is a herald of rich and rooted civilization, and the UNESCO of Turkish world, is moving forward with a secure, sure, confident and hopeful steps.

A promissing meeting at UNESCO

         TURKSOY’s General-Director Dussen Kasseinov visited UNESCO’s Secretary-General Koïchiro Matsuura in order to set prioritary collaboration prospects.
After having thanked Matsuura for UNESCO’s positive approach, Kasseinov expressed his concern on the fact that there has not been any concrete steps taken towards strenghtening collaboration between both institutions to date, despite TURKSOY’s view of its counterpart as a strategic partner since the ratification of the 1996 two-sided Cooperation Agreement.

         In this context, the project of a series of presentation events of TURKSOY in UNESCO’s headquarters has been discussed. These would include an exhibition on the one hand, and a classical and traditional folkloric concert from the member states’ most renowned artists on the other.

        Kasseinov mentioned that the year 2010 will be celebrated as the Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures by the UNESCO and he added that TURKSOY will firmly support it. Matsuura, who warmly welcomed the presentation events project, thanked Kasseinov for his support to the Year. Underlining TURKSOY’s importance as a regional partner, Matsuura greeted the Organisation’s international-wide activity.

            A Memorandum of Understanding to be prepared between TURKSOY and the Council of Europe

            During a recent meeting with Dussen Kasseinov, Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Director-General for Culture and Cultural Heritage, Youth and Sport from the Council of Europe has suggested Dussen Kasseinov, Director-General of TURKSOY, the preparation of a Memorandum of Understanding between both Organisations.

            Kasseinov met Battaini-Dragoni to consult on prospects of cooperation between on the 18th of June in Strasbourg. Describing TURKSOY’s structure and activity to Battaini-Dragoni, Kasseinov highlighted the membership to the Council of Europe of two TURKSOY member states, Azerbaijan and Turkey

            Accordingly, Kasseinov stated that the other TURKSOY member states could also take part in intercultural dialogue projects with the Council of Europe’s member European countries.Thereupon, Battaini-Dragoni welcomed TURKSOY’s will to push forward further cooperation and proposed the preparation of a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding.

            TURKSOY’s Director-General reminded Battaini-Dragoni that the Year 2010 will be celebrated as the Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures by UNESCO and he affirmed TURKSOY’s commitment to the events. He also invited the Council of Europe to join them in the celebrations.

            Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni gave some information on the White Book on Intercultural Dialogue implemented by the Committee of Ministers and gave one Turkish copy to Kasseinov. She explained her Directorate-General’s activity focused on the conservation of cultural values and of diversity on the one hand, and integration and identity on the other.

            At the end of the meeting, Kasseinov gave Battaini-Dragoni TURKSOY’s 15th anniversary special edition publication.

President Gül has inaugurated

            TURKSOY’s 12th painters’ meeting exhibition

Organised every year since the 1997 Decision of the Council of Ministers of Turkish Speaking Countries, TURKSOY’s Painters’ Meeting took place this year during the 90th anniversary celebrations of Ataturk’s landing to Samsun and of the Amasya Circular’s Declaration. The events were run between the 1st and 12th in Samsun and between the 16th and 30th in Amasya.

            Painters from sixteen Turkic countries have gathered for the Meeting. The celebrations, along with their locations’ historical and natural beauties have inspired the work of the artists.

            President Gül arrived at the renovated historical Saraydüzü Barracks around 7 pm on the 12th of June and was welcomed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Culture, the General-Director for Fine Arts and TURKSOY’s General-Director Dussen Kasseinov. The latter made a short speach in which he invited the President to make the inauguration upon which Gül made the opening accompanied by the Governor and Mayor of Amasya.

            President Gül has been introduced to each of the artists and given insight on the paintings by Kasseinov. Admiring the work that had been done, he greeted the painters.

            Kasseinov then offered Gül a painting from the Kazakh Jenis Kakenulı entitled ‘Amasya’ and he expressed his gratefulness for the President’s presence. The exhibiton which was attented to by number of journalists and high-profile public personalities remained opened until the 18th of June.

The artists have created a hundred and fourty paintings which have been included to the TURKSOY collection.

            Director-General Kaseinov has visited the European Commission for cooperation prospects

            TURKSOY’s (The Joint Administration of Turkic Arts and Culture) Director-General Dussen Kasseinov met Xavier Troussard, Head of Unit for Cultural Policy and Intercultural Dialogue from the European Commission to discuss cooperation prospects between the two institutions.

            TURKSOY’s Director-General Dussen Kasseinov met Xavier Troussard, Head of Unit for Cultural Policy and Intercultural Dialogue from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education and Culture to talk about prospective collaboration projects that could be realised between the two institutions.

During the meeting held in Brussels, Kasseinov explained the structure, functioning and international nature of TURKSOY to which six states (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Usbekistan) are member and eight states (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Gagauzia, Altai Republic, Baskurdistan, Tataristan, Tiva, Saha and Hakas from the Russian Federation) are observers. The Director-General pointed out the multi-religious environment of the institution which activities are based on common historical, linguistic and cultural heritage.

            Highlighting the fact that TURKSOY’s member states are as well members of the UNESCO, Kaseinov offered cooperation to the European Commission on Intercultural Dialogue. He also mentioned his meeting with Gabriela Battaini-Dragoni, Council of Europe’s Director-General for Education, Culture and Heritage, Youth and Sport and the consensus they have reached on preparing a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding.

            Emphasizing that the year 2010 will be celebrated as the “Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures” by the UNESCO, Kasseinov stated that Kazakhstan will be on the forefront of the events and that TURKSOY will be supporting the Year as well.

            Head of Unit Troussard thanked Kasseinov and expressed the EC’s warm approach to the suggestion of an intercultural dialogue between the EU and Turkic states. He added the UNESCO’s Agreement on the Development of Culture and Cultural Diversity could form the legal basis for such a cooperation.

            Furthermore, Troussard, on his turn, invited TURKSOY to take an active role in the EC’s common activities on cultural diversity. An agreement of cooperation has been reached at the end of the meeting and Kasseinov gave Troussard TURKSOY’s special fifteenth anniversary publication.

            Kazakhstan’s Folk Music Concert Series Ended Successfully Kazakhstan’s Kurmangazi Conservatory Kazakh Folk Music Youth Orchestra which came to Turkey as TURKSOY’s invitee has given its first performance at the University of Istanbul, supported by the University’s Eurasian Institute. The concert that aimed at showcasing the best examples of Turkic music and at strenghtening cultural collaboration was launched by TURKSOY’s Director-General Dussen Kasseinov, the Eurasian Institute’s Director Hayati Tüfekçioğlu and the Literature Faculty’s Dean Prof. Korkut Tuna. The concert brought together Kazakh folk music lovers from Istanbul and members of the Kazakh diaspora, treating them with hours of music.

            The series continued in Istanbul with performances at the Maltepe University and the RIVA Foundation.

            The artists’ second destination was Ankara, where they visited the Kazakh Embassy and TURKSOY’s building, before having their concert broadcasted live from TRT AVAZ. During their visits, they were welcomed by Dussen Kasseinov who told them about the function and activity of his Organisation. Kasseinov expressed his gladness in receiving the young artists on the premises of the Organisation and he presented some of them a plaquette and certificate of appreciation.

            The musicians, on their turn, gave Kasseinov a shapan -a Kazakh traditional piece of clothing- and a kobyz and dombyra, national Kazakh instruments.

            After the photo shoot, members of the Orchestra went to Panora Park where they were due to perform. Among the audience were ambassadors of Turkic countries and of the Russian Federation, along with Mayors of the Etimesgut and Keçiören districts of Ankara. The Orchestra performed a new programme wich included, amongst others, pieces from Turkish, Usbek and Kyrgyz music played with the dombyra and kobyz.

            The series continued in Amasya, where the young artists took part in the parade celebrating the 90th anniversary of Ataturk’s landing to Amasya and the declaration of the Amasya Circular. President Gül also attented to the events and the Orchestra’s concert attracted much enthusiasm on the part of the local audience.

            The final show, which took place in Safranbolu, provoked great joy among the audience which could not hide its amazement before virtuosi members of the Orchestra. Nurullah Çakır, Governor of Safranbolu, was grateful to the organisers and artists who “turned the events into a celebration of folk music, contributing to the preservation of the mutual Turkic bond and its cultural heritage.”

            Kurmangazi

            Kurmangazi (1806–1879) is a Kazakh poet and one of the most prominent composers of the 19th century. He created number of dombyra pieces and is its ultimate virtuoso. He renewed and enriched Kazakhstan’s dombyra art with new techniques and genres.

            Called the “Master of Music” by Kazakh people, his place in the musical culture was engraved when the first higher music education institution in Kazakhstan was named after him in 1944.

            Opened in 1988, The Folk Music Department of the Kurmangazi Conservatory has played a strong symbolic role in the revival of national culture and of folk music in the aftermath of the country’s independence. Its Orchestra, constituted of the Department’s undergraduate and graduate students, is well-known in Kazakhstan and successfully promotes Kazakh folk music worldwide.

            The large-scale concert series in Turkey organized by TURKSOY intended to contribute to the rapprochement of cultures, the preservation of folk music, the reinforcement of international artistic bonds and the continuation of solidary bridges between Turkic states.

Date of issue: 2009-07-29