International conference held in Berlin on scientific and cultural contributions of the Turkic World
On June 3, an international conference titled “Masters of Innovation and Art: Turkic Contributions to World Science and Culture” was held at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Berlin. The event was organized with the support and joint efforts of the embassies of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in Germany, along with TURKSOY, the Azerbaijan Cultural Center, and the Yunus Emre Institute, and in partnership with TIKA.
The purpose of the conference was to promote the rich scientific and cultural heritage of Turkic peoples and to demonstrate its impact on humanity. The event began with the opening of exhibitions organized by TURKSOY at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Berlin. Participants viewed exhibits titled “Handicrafts of the Silk Road,” “Women in Turkic Art,” and “Expression of the Turkic Spirit,” featuring works by young artists from the Turkic world.
During the plenary session, Nasimi Aghayev, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Germany, emphasized the important contributions of Turkic-speaking communities in Germany to the country’s social, scientific, and cultural life. He noted that with a population of 179 million and an economic power of $2.1 trillion, the Turkic world is a significant actor on the global stage. The ambassador highlighted that the Turkic civilization has historically contributed to humanity in fields such as science, art, architecture, and literature. Speaking on the unity of the Turkic world, he stated: “For Azerbaijan, the unity of the Turkic world is a source of strength. Cooperation among Turkic states is not only key to our success but also vital for preserving our values and traditions.”
Following this, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, Kyrgyz Ambassador Omurbek Tekebayev, Turkish Ambassador Gökhan Turan, Uzbek Ambassador Dilshod Akhatov, Kazakhstan’s Chargé d'Affaires Kadır Kassabulatov, and Turkmenistan’s Chargé d'Affaires Ovazgeldi Jumanazarov all spoke about the historical and current contributions of Turkic civilization to global science, philosophy, and art.
The conference continued with two panel sessions. The first panel, dedicated to culture, featured Dr. Turan Mammadaliyeva (PhD in Art Studies), who discussed the contributions of Uzeyir Hajibeyli and other prominent Azerbaijani composers to world music.
In the second panel, dedicated to science, Rector of Baku Slavic University Anar Naghiyev presented the scientific legacies of Azerbaijani scholars such as Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, Bahmanyar, Yusif Mammadaliyev, Karim Karimov, and Lotfi Zadeh, emphasizing their contributions to global science.
Other scholars and cultural experts from various Turkic states also spoke extensively about the heritage and influential figures of their nations in the context of world culture and science.
The conference concluded with a magnificent gala concert by TURKSOY’s National Instruments Orchestra. The performances of traditional music from Turkic peoples—including Azerbaijani performers such as vocalists Nisbat Sadraeva and Sefali Mirzaliyev, tar player Ruslan Zarbaliyev, and kamancha player Perviz Farhadov—were met with enthusiastic applause.