The Turkish World Publishing Congress, hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Libraries and Publications General Directorate, has officially begun in Ankara.
Opening Ceremony and Musical Performance
The opening program, held at a hotel in Ankara, brought together publishers, writers, translators, and academics from various parts of the Turkish world. The event commenced with a musical performance reflecting the shared cultural values of the Turkish world.
Congress Objectives and Participation
The congress aims to discuss the roles of publishing in preserving cultural memory, disseminating knowledge, and increasing inter-societal interaction. Key objectives include strengthening a common vision in publishing within the Turkish world, enhancing cooperation opportunities between countries, and developing sectoral standards.
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gökhan Yazgı, stated in his opening speech that publishing plays a crucial role in preserving the common memory and ensuring the continuity of cultural heritage in the Turkish world. He emphasized that publishing is among the strongest cultural elements connecting the Turkish world, noting, “Publishing activities carried out on the axis of common language, literature, and culture strengthen mutual understanding among Turkish communities living in different geographies, increase cooperation opportunities, and contribute to the formation of a common future consciousness.”
Yazgı highlighted that the congress is organized with the motto “together for the future,” which signifies the will for common action and unity in cultural production within the Turkish world. He added that the congress offers significant opportunities for developing new ideas and establishing long-term collaborations. “During our three-day congress, we will evaluate innovative work and develop strategic approaches through productive consultations in 6 commissions covering topics from sectoral structure to content and product development, intellectual property rights, and translation support, with 140 participants from 10 countries and representatives from the Turkish world,” Yazgı shared.
The Ministry has been collaborating with the Turkish world in publishing for a long time, Yazgı noted, providing support for the translation and publication of 368 works by 81 publishing houses in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan since 2005, within the scope of the TEDA program.
Ankara as the Turkish World Tourism Capital 2026
In his opening address, Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin remarked that the world is currently facing a serious crisis, and the Turkish world possesses the knowledge and experience to contribute to this process. Şahin expressed his satisfaction with Ankara being chosen as the Turkish World Tourism Capital 2026. He stated, “Ankara will make the best use of its status as the tourism capital. Our Ministry of Culture and Tourism has very serious efforts and programs in this regard. We, as the governorship, will both participate in those programs and support them to the extent of our capabilities.”
Şahin added that Ankara’s universities provide a strong infrastructure for this initiative, and the city possesses sufficient cultural heritage. He affirmed the governorship’s pleasure in supporting the ongoing work.
The congress is expected to facilitate significant discussions and collaborations, further strengthening the cultural and publishing ties within the Turkish world.
