A large-scale effort is under way between Turkmenistan and the member states of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) to develop friendly and fraternal relations and strengthen international cultural cooperation. At present, TURKSOY is consistently working to further develop cultural ties among Turkic-speaking states.
In connection with the designation of Andijan, Republic of Uzbekistan, as the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World for 2026, the recent meeting of the heads of the writers’ unions of TURKSOY member states held there was of great importance for strengthening dialogue in the field of literature. The meeting was jointly organized by the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan, the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan, and the Andijan Regional Administration.
The meeting, held at the building of the Andijan Regional Administration, was chaired by Minhojiddin Mirzo, Deputy Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Uzbekistan. The speakers included Elyorbek Xolmirzayev, Deputy Governor of Andijan Region; Sultan Raev, Secretary General of TURKSOY; Ulugbek Esdaulet, Chairman of the TURKSOY Writers’ Union; Musa Kazim Arican, writer and Rector of Social Sciences University of Ankara; Muhammet Enes Kala, Chairman of the Writers’ Union of the Republic of Türkiye; Kanybek Imanaliyev, Chairman of the Writers’ Union of the Kyrgyz Republic; Salim Babullaoglu, Deputy Chairman of the Writers’ Union of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Beibit Sarybay, Deputy Chairman of the Writers’ Union of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Akmyrat Rejepov, Deputy Head of the Department for Creative Workers of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan; Gayrat Majidov, Deputy Chairman of the Writers’ Union of the Republic of Uzbekistan; and others.
The participants exchanged views on developing literary cooperation among poets and prose writers from TURKSOY member states, creating a common digital literary platform for the Turkic world, an electronic library and an information system on writers, as well as implementing projects aimed at preserving, promoting and translating literary heritage into the world’s languages.
Proposals were also put forward for joint participation in international book fairs, literary festivals and cultural events. The participants discussed the work plan of the TURKSOY Writers’ Union for 2027 and proposed ideas for regularly holding festivals of young poets of the Turkic world, as well as organizing a literary forum involving literary mentors and translators.
A conference devoted to the literary legacy of the renowned Turkish poet Ziya Gökalp was held at Andijan State Medical Institute. The forum was organized in connection with TURKSOY’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Ziya Gökalp. At the conclusion of the conference, a number of participants in the meeting of poets and prose writers from TURKSOY member states were presented with Certificates of Honor from the Writers’ Union of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Guided by the principle “Literary friendship is eternal friendship,” the participants of the events in Andijan wished one another continued creative success and expressed their support for deepening cultural cooperation throughout the Turkic world.
