On Friday, March 21, 2025, our Head of Department, Prof. Dr. Oktay Özgül, delivered a lecture titled "Nevruz Celebrations in the Turkic World: The Case of Kyrgyzstan" as part of the Turkic World Talks-I conference series. The event was jointly organized by the Yalova University Center for Applied and Research Studies on the Turkic World (Yalova Üniversitesi Türk Dünyası Çalışmaları Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi) and the From Konya to Yalova Culture, Arts, and Tourism Association (Konyadan Yalovaya Kültür Sanat ve Turizm Derneği).
The conference attracted significant interest, with attendees including the Yalova Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism, academics, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and students from various countries of the Turkic World. In his speech, Prof. Dr. Özgül emphasized the importance of such civil society organizations in serving the future of the Turkic World and enhancing Yalova’s recognition within it. He provided insights into the historical significance of Nevruz in Turkic history, its importance, and its various forms of celebration across the Turkic World.
Focusing particularly on the celebrations in Kyrgyzstan, he explained that Nevruz, which dates back to ancient times, was joyously celebrated by the early Turks. He highlighted that Nevruz, with its roots extending as far back as Saymalıtaş, continues to be observed throughout the Turkic World as a symbol of the arrival of spring, the awakening of the land, and the beginning of a new year. Prof. Dr. Özgül underscored that Nevruz is a national festival that has been passed down from the ancient Turks to the present day.
Following the Q&A session, the event concluded with the presentation of a plaque and a gift to Prof. Dr. Oktay Özgül by the Director of the Yalova University Center for Applied and Research Studies on the Turkic World and the President of the From Konya to Yalova Culture, Arts, and Tourism Association.
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