UNESCO Has Designated December 15 as World Day of the Turkic Language Family.
At the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, held in Samarkand, a historic decision was made: December 15 has been proclaimed World Day of the Turkic Language Family. The holiday will be celebrated annually, symbolizing the international recognition of the linguistic, cultural, and historical unity of the Turkic-speaking peoples.
The initiative to establish this commemorative day was put forward by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and has received broad support internationally. Turkey's Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Gülnur Aybet, noted that this decision reflects the organization's commitment to strengthening multilingualism, cultural diversity, and dialogue among peoples.
The initiative was co-sponsored by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The document was supported by 26 states, including Turkmenistan.
Turkic languages are spoken by over 200 million people, united by a common history and cultural values. The date was not chosen by chance and is associated with one of the most important events in the history of Turkic civilization: on December 15, 1893, the Danish scientist Wilhelm Thomsen deciphered the Orkhon inscriptions.
These inscriptions, dating back to the 8th century, are the earliest written records revealing the common roots of the Turkic languages and symbolize recognition of their rich cultural heritage.
A celebratory event dedicated to the establishment of Turkic Language Family Day was held during the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference (which brings together representatives from 194 countries).
The event was attended by the heads of the Permanent Delegations of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Hungary to UNESCO, as well as scholars and representatives of international organizations. The event included speeches by the Ambassador of Turkic Culture and Heritage and the Turan Ethno-Folklore Ensemble.
This significant event reflects international recognition of the contribution of Turkic civilization to the development of world culture and humanitarian cooperation.
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