President Şeker spoke at the Cultural Heritage Conference of the Turkic World
TÜBA President Prof. Muzaffer Şeker attended the conference "Study and Protection of the Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Turkic World from the Perspective of UNESCO" held in Baku.
The program was organized by the International Turkic Academy, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO and the National Commission for UNESCO Türkiye in cooperation with the Presidency of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Institute for Development and Diplomacy of ADA University.
In accordance with UNESCO's principles and standards, the conference program aimed to promote cooperation among the participants in the protection, rehabilitation, promotion, management and more effective use of historical and cultural monuments and heritage sites of great value for local communities and the Turkic World as a whole. The exhibition organized by the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences on the occasion of the 950th Anniversary of "Dîvânı Lugâti't-Türk" was opened with the speeches of President Şeker and President of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences Prof. Isa Habibbayli.
Let us move forward together to protect and develop our common heritage.
Providing information about the Dîvânı Lugâti't-Türk and its author Mahmud al-Kashgari, Prof. Şeker said that Turkish culture has created a rich heritage throughout its history and that this heritage forms the cornerstones of the common identity of the Turkic peoples spread over vast geographies.
President Şeker said: "Through cultural events, festivals and artistic activities, we can showcase the unique characteristics of Turkish culture and create a global dialog. However, it is the responsibility of all of us to protect this common heritage and pass it on to future generations. By preserving and developing our language, folklore, art and history, we can maintain the unity and cultural richness of the Turkic world. Translations of prominent literary works, writers and poets of each country in the Turkic World will increase mutual interactions. For example, I believe that it is important that the works of names such as Abdurrahim Karakoç, Necip Fazıl Kısakürek, Sezai Karakoç, Peyami Safa, Cemil Meriç, Mustafa Kutlu, who form a bond of heart from Türkiye to the Turkic and Islamic World, are known by the entire Turkic World. As TÜBA, with the responsibility of being the national science academy of Türkiye and the importance we attach to our scientific and cultural heritage, we initiated the "Turkic - Islamic Science Culture Heritage Project" in 2014. This project continues under the auspices of the Presidency of Türkiye. With this project, we translate classical works of Turkish-Islamic scientific and cultural heritage that have contributed to the accumulation of knowledge of humanity. We are establishing a link between our past and present. Our project aims to save valuable works from their idle state in libraries and present them to the benefit of our scientific and cultural people and future generations. In line with this purpose, it is ensured that new generations recognize Turkish scientists, who are important values of the past, and give them the value they deserve. In a way, we create a source of self-confidence for our youth. Translating these works in Arabic, Persian and different Turkish dialects, which are of great importance in the history of Turkish thought, into modern Turkish and making them available to 21st century readers also contributes to reminding the position of Turks in the history of thought and culture. Again, as TÜBA, we publish books that include our historical and cultural heritage, especially the work of our honorary member, the late Prof. Fuat Sezgin, titled "Science and Technology in Islam"."
