The concept of the “Turkic world” is gaining increasing importance across a vast geographical space that spans two continents – Europe and Asia. Peoples with shared historical roots, similar cultural codes, and linguistic ties are striving for spiritual, cultural, and economic rapprochement. It was for this reason that, in 1993, the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) was established at the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan. Its primary mission was defined as strengthening cultural ties. However, TURKSOY very quickly became something much more, and today the organization’s activities are also influencing the economic sphere of Turkic states.
The Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mrs Aida BALAYEVA, speaks to the readers of our publication about the work of this organization, the prospects for cultural and economic ties in the Turkic world, as well as Kazakh-Uzbek relations.
– Aida Galimovna, culture is a vast and boundless field, where countries with varying levels of development, national traditions, and characteristics interact, enriching and complementing one another. Could you please tell us about the main points of connection and interaction among TURKSOY countries within the framework of cultural cooperation, as well as the key directions and objectives of this collaboration?
As it is known, TURKSOY is the International Organization of Turkic Culture, established on July 12, 1993, in Almaty. It unites Turkic-speaking states – Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan – along with several regional participants. It is important to emphasize that this is not a military-political or economic bloc, but a purely cultural organization whose goal is to preserve, develop, and promote the shared historical and cultural heritage. This is achieved through organizing international festivals, concerts, exhibitions, and other cultural events, publishing scholarly, artistic, and educational literature, and implementing various projects aimed at preserving Turkic languages and traditions.
Today, TURKSOY is a flagship in the field of international cultural and educational exchange, contributing to the strengthening of friendly ties, intercultural dialogue, and mutual understanding between the diverse cultural communities of our countries. However, the most important and prioritized task remains the preservation and study of our shared historical heritage.
Surely, our most significant partner in this area is Uzbekistan – a country with an ancient culture, rich spiritual traditions, and a history that is inextricably linked with that of Kazakhstan.
I would like to note that the active cooperation within the framework of TURKSOY has become possible thanks to the foreign policy initiatives of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, which have brought unprecedented dynamism to this process. This has not gone unnoticed by Western partners. As you may know, the German scientific and analytical center Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) – the German Institute for International and Security Affairs – included Kazakhstan among the so-called “middle powers” – countries that have not reached the level of global influence held by the U.S., China, or Russia, but that nevertheless play an important role in global political and economic affairs. Until recently, this list included countries such as Turkey, Israel, and India. Kazakhstan has now been included in this list for the first time.
– Over the 15 years of the Organization of Turkic States’ activities, many mutually significant cultural events and initiatives have taken place. In your opinion, which of these have been the most important for strengthening and deepening cultural ties among member states, and which have had a particular impact on the development of the Organization itself?
– The most significant milestone in the life of the Organization was undoubtedly the 30th anniversary of TURKSOY, which was celebrated not only locally in member countries, but also on the international stage – particularly at UNESCO. In December 2023, a major joint concert was held in Paris on the main stage of the United Nations agency for science, culture, and education, featuring performers from seven countries. The two-hour program showcased the rich musical heritage of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. In my view, this was a clear recognition of TURKSOY’s long-standing contribution to promoting peace and fostering a global multicultural society.
However, it would be a mistake to assume that the anniversary platform was used solely for showcasing folk traditions, crafts, games, and artworks. The deeper mission of the Organization of Turkic States is to support the Turkic peoples in comprehending their historical journey.
In 2023, the international roundtable “TURKSOY – 30 Years: Results and Prospects” was held in Astana. The forum provided an opportunity to reflect on the Organization’s achievements, address challenges, and outline future directions for development. In fact, much was done by TURKSOY in preparation for this milestone event. For example, the traveling exhibitions titled “The Spirit of the Great Steppe” were held in Ankara and Bursa, where previously unseen artworks from the collections of the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan were displayed. In 2019, the exhibition The Great Steppe: History and Culture featuring items from the collection of the National Museum of Kazakhstan was presented at the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.
And, in 2022, Ankara saw the launch of the TURKSOY Union of National Museums – a new platform for strengthening inter-museum cooperation. Thanks to this initiative, the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan now takes part annually in the Union’s events, contributing to the development of museum partnerships through catalog publication, exhibition planning, and joint scientific projects.
– Could you please tell us which key issues were addressed at the recent TURKSOY summits? What objectives have been achieved?
– The primary focus and overarching goal of TURKSOY remains the cooperation between Turkic peoples in preserving, developing, and passing on their shared tangible and cultural heritage to future generations. This mission runs as a central theme throughout all of the activities of the International Organization of Turkic Culture.
In November 2022, during the closing ceremony of the “Bursa – Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2022” year, the 39th Meeting of the Permanent Council of Ministers of Culture of TURKSOY was held. The updated action plan included initiatives aimed at reviving the names of outstanding artists and cultural figures from the Turkic-speaking countries. In the following years, a wide range of commemorative academic conferences, festivals, and exhibitions took place. The repertoire was incredibly diverse – from the International Theater Festival of Central Asian Countries to an exhibition of Turkic carpets.
Futhermore, the international forum “Biennale of Turkic Culture” featured a significant academic event: The International Conference on the Study of Ancient Turkic Inscriptions titled “Kultegin and His Era.” The conference brought together leading archaeologists, ethnographers, and linguists from around the world – many of whom presented their perspectives on Turkic history for the first time.
To promote our shared folklore heritage, we also organized the Ethnographic Festival of Turkic Epic Poetry. Its uniqueness lay in the fact that epic singers and storytellers showcased the art of performing historical legends, heroic epics, and socio-domestic narratives in the traditions of various Turkic peoples – preserving the style and spirit in which these works were originally passed down from ancient times.
As part of TURKSOY’s initiatives, proposals were also developed to organize international competitions in traditional national sports. This is a particularly important effort, as games like kokpar, kureş wrestling, and other traditional contests differ significantly from classical European Olympic disciplines and require distinct regulations. We took this into account in 2024 during the 5th World Nomad Games held in Astana.
As President of Kazakhstan noted in his congratulatory address, granting Aktau the status of the cultural capital of the Turkic world is a milestone not only for our country but for all fraternal Turkic states. In his view, strengthening cooperation among peoples whose histories and traditions are intertwined is our shared responsibility.
The historic Mangistau land and the rich Ustyurt region are an integral part of Turkic civilization. This sacred land preserves the centuries-old spiritual legacy of our nation and the entire Turkic world.
Our main goal is to transform the Turkic world into a significant economic and cultural space of the 21st century. The unity of the Turkic-speaking community has been repeatedly emphasized by the leaders of fraternal nations, and the gathering in Mangistau is a vivid illustration of that unity. Mangistau is a branch of the Great Silk Road. In ancient times, trade caravans and maritime travelers carried not only goods but also cultural and civilizational values. Modern-day Mangistau holds great potential for logistics and tourism, given its land and sea borders with half of TURKSOY’s member states. We believe this project will serve as a foundation for continued fruitful cooperation and will lead to further achievements that will strengthen collaboration among Turkic nations.
– The preservation and enhancement of the cultural heritage and spiritual-historical values of Turkic peoples is a crucial aspect of the activities of the Turkic States Organization. Aida Galimovna, what is your opinion,what initiatives taken by brotherly countries, most closely unite the peoples and promote the cultural heritage and achievements of the Turkic world?
18/08/2025 
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