“Turkic Republics in the 25^th Year of Independence Symposium” organised by Ahmet Yesevi University took start in Ankara.

“Turkic Republics in the 25^th Year of Independence Symposium” was held in three sessions, organised by Ahmet Yesevi University Chairmanship of Board of Trustees on 6-7 October 2016.  Yunus Emre Enstitüsü President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş who gave a speech in the session titled “Turkic World, A Priority for Turkey and Operations of Governmental Institutions” introduced and gave the following information on the Enstitü:

“Yunus Emre Foundation was established in accordance with the law no 5653 dated 05.05.2007 with the aim of introducing Turkey, Turkish language, culture and arts; presenting relevant information and documents for the world to benefit; offering services abroad to those who aspire to study in Turkish language, culture and art fields; and to further cultural exchange and friendship between Turkey and other countries.

“As an institution affiliated with a Foundation, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü conducts Turkish instruction activities for foreigners in centres established abroad, carries out culture-arts activities for publicity of Turkey and supports scientific studies, in line with the goals provided by the law.

“Enstitü that launched operations in Turkey in 2009 at the headquarters located in Ulus, Ankara, opened its first centre overseas in Sarajevo and in seven years, established 45 Turkish Cultural Centres in 37 countries in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Far East, Africa and America.”

Astana Yunus Emre Enstitüsü

President Şeref Ateş stressing that Yunus Emre Enstitüsü carries out operations aimed at Turkic world through the centres in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, informed that a total of 1470 trainees have learned Turkish to date in Turkish courses held by Astana Yunus Emre Enstitüsü opened in 2010, both in and outside the centre. Şeref Ateş said that they organised in-service trainings aimed at local Turcologists in Kazakhstan in 2014 and 2015.

Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, mentioning culture-arts events organised by Astana Yunus Emre Enstitüsü such as Fuzuli Memorial Panel, Kazakhstan Independence Festival, “Kazakhs in Turkish Literature”,  Tuluyhan Uğurlu Piano Recital, Patchwork, Doll-making and Artistic Mosaic trainings, and Ottoman Palace Attire Fashion Show, gave the following information on cooperation and protocols:

“Our Astana Yunus Emre Enstitüsü signed individual cooperation protocols with Eurasia State University and Al-Farabi State University, and made a Turkish Instruction Cooperation Agreement with Ahmet Yesevi University. According to the agreement, university will employ 'Yunus Emre Enstitüsü method in Turkish instruction and Enstitü's Turkish Instruction Sets will be utilised in all departments offering undergraduate Turkish courses'. A Cooperation Protocol was signed with International Turkish Academy, with Astana National Library, International Turkish-Kazakh University Cooperation Protocol with Hoca Ahmet Yesevi University, and a Turcology Cooperation Protocol with Turcology Department in Faculty of International Relations in L.N. Gumilev Eurasia National University. As part of 100 Turkey Libraries Project, two Turkish libraries were opened in Astana National Library and Al-Farabi State University.”

Baku Yunus Emre Enstitüsü

Yunus Emre Enstitüsü President Ateş marking that in Turkish courses organised in Baku Yunus Emre Enstitüsü centre inaugurated in 2013, a total of 209 trainees have learned Turkish to date and stated the culture-arts activities by Baku YEE as follows:

“Nazım Hikmet Memorial Night, March 12^th The Admission of March of Independence and Mehmet Akif Ersoy Memorial Night, Newroz Festival Celebrations, Reading Day Festival titled 'Let's Read Together', April 23^rd National Sovereignty and Children's Festival Celebrations, Dulcimer Virtuoso Sedat Anar Concert,Shared Cultural Heritage 'Lavash' Promotion as part of Turkish Cuisine Publicity Activities, First International Common Language of Turkic World Embroidery Symposium, 7^th International Sheki Silk Road Festival, Turkic World Rug Symposium (scientific meeting, exhibition), Turkey on Stage - Burhan Öçal Istanbul Oriental Ensemble Feat Hüsnü Şenlendirici Concert.”

Şeref Ateş gave the following examples to cooperation and agreements: “Cooperation Protocol with Baku State University, Baku Slavian University, Goodwill Agreement for Cooperation with Union Fund of Presidency of Azerbaijan Republic, Turcology Project Cooperation Protocol with Baku Eurasia University”.

Activities held in other countries in the region

Ateş stressing that a cooperation and publicity protocol was signed with Kirghizia-Turkey Manas University, said that negotiations are proceeding to sign culture centre agreements with Kirghizia (Bishkek), Turkmenistan (Ashgabat) and Uzbekistan (Tashkent).