The first of the Heritage of the Civilization: Common Past, Common Future Project, organized by Yunus Emre Institute and designed by Prof. Bekir Karlığa, the President of Istanbul International Civilization Research Association (MEDAR), was commenced with the opening program held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

During the program, a series of activities were held in which the stories of civilizations that steered the history. The rich civilization accumulation and the monument of unique values that we possess are aimed to be introduced to the entire world, starting with the geographies in which the Turks are predominant. 

The events that were developed within the scope of the Heritage of the Civilization Program drew the interest of the universities, international organizations and institutions and culture and art world in Baku. The program, which was held on December 3, 2021 at the International Muğam Center in Baku, was commenced with the Heritage of the Civilization Exhibition. The Undersecretary of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture Vasıf Eyvazzade, Yeni Yüzyıl University Dean Prof. Celal Erbay and many diplomats and scholars from Azerbaijan and Turkey have participated in the opening of the exhibition.

THE CIVILIZATION AWARENESS PANEL

The panel themed Civilization Awareness was held after the exhibition opening ceremony. The panel was moderated by the Cultural Diplomacy Coordinator of Yunus Emre Institute, Dr. Melih Barut and included conversations about pluralism and experience of living together based on the love, peace, tolerance and humanity that is woven in the soul of the Turkish society.

"WHAT MAKES A COMMUNITY IS THE AWARENESS OF CIVILIZATION"

During the panel in which the idea that civilization was the common heritage of the cultures was handled, the development process of civilizations was discussed. During the panel in which this journey of civilization that starts with the contributions of the societies and proceeds through civilizations was explained, the journey of leaving the accumulation of civilization to the next generations was discussed.

The Undersecretary of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture Vasıf Eyvazzade delivered a speech about the heritage of the civilization during the program. Eyvazzade emphasized the human foundation of the civilization by saying that "what makes a society is the awareness of civilization" during his speech.

"CULTURE IS NATIONAL, THE CIVILIZATION IS UNIVERSAL"

In his speech during the panel, Prof. Bekir Karlığa emphasized the difference between civilization and culture.

Prof. Karlığa emphasized the universality of the civilization for the world by saying, "Culture is national; every nation has its own culture. On the other hand, the civilization is universal. If the culture is adopted by the nations, then it evolves into civilization."

WORLD PREMIERE OF THE "AL-BIRUNI: A SCHOLAR OF THE CIVILIZATION" DOCUMENTARY

After the opening of the Heritage of Civilization Exhibition, the world premiere of the "Al-Biruni: A Scholar of the Civilization" documentary, which was completed with the contributions of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture, Uzbekistan Ministry of Culture, Biruni University and the Istanbul International Civilization Research Association, was held. The documentary screening attracted great interest from the participants.

HOPE FOR A COMMON FUTURE

The people of Baku, who locked themselves in their homes due to the Covid-19 pandemic that took a hold of the entire world with the last quarter of 2019, voiced their longing for culture and art events during this process where normalization has started. During the event in which the special bond between Azerbaijan and Turkey based on the notion of "two states, one nation" was mentioned, the fact that all societies are fellow travelers and that they existed with the hope for a common future in peace was emphasized.

TO BE HELD IN 12 COUNTRIES

The program, the first step of which was taken in Baku to emphasize our common language, common culture and special bond of heart with Azerbaijan, is planned to be held in 12 countries. The other programs designed within the scope of the program are planned to be held within a year in the United States of America, Germany, Belgium, Morocco, Netherlands, England, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russa, and the closing program is planned to be held in France.

A cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the program in France and another cooperation with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) for the program in the United States of America is planned to be carried out.

The Alliance of Civilizations (AOC) was commenced by the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who at the time was the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister of Spain Zapatero in 2005 and was adopted by the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) to become a UN initiative.