The II International Symposium entitled “Cultural Heritage of the Turkic World and Its Continuity” was held at our university. This large-scale academic event was jointly organized by our university and Pamukkale University (Republic of Türkiye).
The symposium brought together scholars and researchers from Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the United States, Germany, and Jordan.
The main objective of the event was to conduct academic research into the rich cultural heritage of the Turkic world, explore the continuity of historical and spiritual values passed down from generation to generation, strengthen common cultural and academic ties, and create opportunities for international exchange of research experience in this field.
Opening the symposium, the Rector of Pamukkale University, Professor Dr. Mahmut Güngör, noted:
“The strength of a nation lies in its ability to preserve its own values and pass them on to future generations. We are descendants and heirs of a great civilization whose spiritual and cultural heritage stretches from the Orkhon inscriptions to Dīwān Lughāt al-Turk, Kutadgu Bilig and The Book of Dede Korkut, from the epic Manas to the Hikmets of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. At the heart of our shared heritage are language, religion, art, literature, customs and traditions, as well as civilizational principles that place the human being at their centre.
A generation that loses its connection with its roots and national identity cannot confidently look towards the future. Today, the world is experiencing an era of profound transformations. Under these circumstances, preserving one's cultural identity, national identity and values has become particularly important.
Higher education institutions throughout the Turkic world face significant responsibilities. We must study our rich historical heritage using scientific methods, systematically document our cultural values and, by taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the digital age, pass them on to future generations.”
In addition, Mahmut Güngör emphasized the importance of implementing joint initiatives in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital archiving, cultural tourism and academic research. In this regard, he highly praised our university's efforts to promote historical and cultural heritage and expressed his gratitude to the Rector and the university staff.
The Rector of our university, Zhanar Temirbekova, then addressed the participants:
“What exactly is cultural heritage? Why do we preserve it? Why do we attach so much importance to it? These questions concern not only Kazakhstan and the Turkic world but also the entire international community.
There is a major international organization called UNESCO. Within its framework, national commissions operate in every country, seeking to include the most valuable cultural heritage sites and historical monuments of their respective states on UNESCO's lists. This is because every nation and every state has made its own unique contribution to world culture and civilization.
What contribution has Turkic civilization made to the development of world civilization? Each of you can answer this question from the perspective of your own academic discipline.
The cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples is exceptionally rich. It encompasses historical achievements that have contributed to the development of human civilization, including gold and iron mining, the domestication of wild horses in the steppes, advances in agriculture and manufacturing, as well as cultural and musical achievements.
However, it is extremely important not only to study this rich heritage but also to interpret it correctly, promote it widely and adapt it to contemporary conditions.”
The Rector also noted that at the summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Ankara, discussions focused not only on studying the shared history and cultural heritage of Turkic countries but also on implementing joint projects in the fields of economics, tourism, construction and other important sectors. She particularly emphasized the need to make effective use of new opportunities in the era of artificial intelligence and wished the symposium participants a productive and successful event.
At the beginning of his address, Peyami Battal, Representative of the Rector, expressed his gratitude to the organizing committees of our university and Pamukkale University for their contribution to holding a meaningful academic event at a high organizational level.
He also emphasized the importance of preserving the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic world and passing it on to future generations.
“Cultural heritage is not merely historical monuments and artefacts that have survived from past eras. It is our language, our memory, our history, our melodies, art, faith, values and the shared spirit that unites us into one whole.
Most importantly, cultural heritage represents our responsibility towards future generations. We are not only heirs to the past but also custodians of a spiritual legacy that we are obliged to pass on to the future.
The purpose of today's symposium is to restore the lost links in the great chain of cultural continuity that unites the heritage of Mahmud al-Kashgari and Korkyt Ata, Yusuf Balasaguni and Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Magzhan Zhumabayev and contemporary representatives of science and culture. I am confident that together we can create new links in this unbroken chain of spiritual continuity,” the Rector's Representative noted.
Following the official opening ceremony, the symposium continued with a plenary session.
During the session, participants discussed a range of topics, including the development of gastronomic tourism in the Turkic world, the reflection of the shared cultural memory of Turkic peoples in literary works, the historical and cultural significance of the Tatar settlement in the city of Semey, specific aspects of translation from Uzbek into English, and the influence of Turkic, Persian and Arabic languages on the formation of religious terminology in the Kyrgyz language, among other relevant issues.
In the afternoon, the academic programme continued across six thematic sections.
Researchers presented papers on taboos and prohibitive expressions in the cultures of Turkic peoples, national upbringing in the digital age, the role of the Zheti Ata (“Seven Generations of Ancestors”) tradition in the education system, the spiritual bond between parents and children, epic heritage and national traditions of the Turkic peoples.
Furthermore, academic discussions addressed the specific features of translation using artificial intelligence, cultural and morphological differences among Turkic languages, the development of literature and language during different historical periods, the religious and cultural heritage of the Turko-Islamic world, and the role of tourism in fostering intercultural dialogue.
As part of the symposium, scholars and researchers presented their papers both in person and online, exchanged views and discussed pressing academic issues.
Thus, the symposium served as an important international academic platform for promoting in-depth research into the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic world, strengthening academic cooperation and preserving the continuity of historical and spiritual values.
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