Turkic Council Deputy Secretary General Abzal Saparbekuly attended the opening ceremony and celebrations of the `Turkistan

Turkic Council Deputy Secretary General Abzal Saparbekuly attended the opening ceremony and celebrations of the “Turkistan - Cultural Capital of Turkic World 2017” on 22 March 2017.

The city of Turkistan was unanimously selected the cultural capital of Turkic World for 2017 at the 34th Meeting of the Permanent Council of Ministers of Culture of TURKSOY Member States in Azerbaijani Sheki. Astana, Eskişehir, Kazan, Merv, and Sheki had the honor of being the cultural capitals of Turkic World in the past years.

Approximately 300 artists and representatives from 25 countries attended the opening ceremony and celebrations part. The symbolic feast of Turkic peoples Nauryz, which coincided with the event, was also celebrated with the city residents in the framework of the festivities on the occasion of “Turkistan – Cultural Capital of Turkic World 2017” ceremony.

Furthermore, the international scientific conference entitled "Turkistan and Turkology" was held within the framework of this fruitful event. The conference, which gathered more than 100 scientists, public and state figures from Kazakhstan, and near and far abroad, was organized with the support Hodja Akhmet Yassawi University and Governorate (Akimat) of South Kazakhstan Region.

Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arystanbek Muhamediuly, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Turkmenistan, Deputies of Minister of Culture of Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, Secretary General of TURKPA Zhandos Asanov, President of International Turkic Academy Prof. Darkhan Kydyrali, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Khoja Akhmet Yassawi University Prof. Musa Yıldız as well as a number of representatives from other autonomous Turkic republics and relative communities took part in the event hosted by Governor of South Kazakhstan Region Zhansseit Tuimebayev and Secretary General of TURKSOY Dusen Kaseinov.