Kyrgyzstan participates in International Conference devoted to 950th

In honor of the 950th anniversary of Dīwān Lughāt al-Turk, a

valuable treasure of the Turkic World and global cultural heritage,

and its inclusion in UNESCO’s list of anniversaries to be celebrated

in 2024–2025, an international conference titled “Mapping the

World in Lexicography: The 950th Anniversary of Dīwān Lughāt al-

Turk” was organized by the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation

on December 13, 2024, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris,

France.

The conference aimed to re-examine the significance of this

monumental work, created by Mahmud al-Kashgari in the 11th

century, to highlight its relevance in the modern era, and to propose

new initiatives for preserving this heritage for future generations.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Aktoty Raimkulova, President of

the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, emphasized the great

importance of commemorating the 950th anniversary of Dīwān

Lughāt al-Turk within UNESCO’s framework in 2024–2025. She

highlighted the historical significance of this masterpiece and its

role in fostering intercultural dialogue today. Raimkulova described

the work, compiled by the great scholar Mahmud al-Kashgari in the

11th century, as not merely a dictionary but a compendium of the

richness of Turkic languages, the wisdom of Turkic traditions, and

the vibrancy of Turkic culture. She stressed that celebrating the

950th anniversary of Dīwān Lughāt al-Turk is not just a

commemorative event but a call to intensify efforts to preserve

Turkic intangible heritage in an era of rapid globalization.

Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, UNESCO Assistant Director-

General for Priority Africa and External Relations warmly welcomed

the participants at the conference dedicated to the 950th

anniversary of Divanü Lüğat-it-Türk. He emphasized that this work

holds significance not only for the Turkic world but also for global

cultural heritage. He referred to Divanü Lüğat-it-Türk as an

encyclopedia showcasing the history and richness of Turkic

peoples.

The conference brought together ambassadors of Turkic

states accredited in France, Secretaries-General of National

Commissions for UNESCO and Permanent Representatives of

Turkic countries to UNESCO, as well as prominent scholars from

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan,

Turkmenistan, Hungary, and other countries. Representatives of

UNESCO and other international organizations, as well as

esteemed intellectuals of the Turkic World, also participated in the

event and delivered presentations.

Additionally, during the event, a specially crafted replica of the

original Dīwān Lughāt al-Turk manuscript, preserved at the Ali

Emiri Efendi Library in Istanbul, was displayed alongside roll ups

showcasing the historical journey of the work and information about

Mahmud al-Kashgari.

The 42nd General Conference of UNESCO included the

950th anniversary of Diwan Lughat al-Turk (Compendium of the

Turkic dialects and languages) written by the lexicographer and

philologist Mahmud Kashgari (1074) in the List of Anniversaries

with which UNESCO is associated in 2024-2025 based on the joint

proposal by Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,

Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, with the support of Hungary,

Mauritania, Morocco, Qatar and Tajikistan.

The conference was held with the support of the national

commissions and permanent delegations of Turkic states to

UNESCO.