Oriented on making people closer

An international scientific conference, held in a hybrid format, took place at Magtymguly Turkmen State University, dedicated to the 950th anniversary of the creation of the dictionary Diwan Lughat al-Turk by the outstanding Turkic philologist Mahmud al-Kashgari.

The event was organized by the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, the National Commission for UNESCO Affairs, and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. The forum gathered leading scholars, experts, and researchers to discuss the humanistic values and peace-making ideas reflected in the dictionary, as well as their relevance in modern international relations.

Diwan Lughat al-Turk, compiled by Mahmud al-Kashgari in the 11th century, is a unique monument of Turkic dialectology and an encyclopedic source on the languages, culture, and traditions of the peoples of Central Asia. The dictionary contains about 7,500 words, hundreds of proverbs and wise sayings, as well as information on the crafts and everyday culture of the Turkmen-Oghuz and other tribes. In 2017, the work was included in the UNESCO 'Memory of the World' International Register.

Special attention at the conference was paid to the significance of Kashgari's legacy for studying the history of Turkmenistan. In his works – Türkmenistan – Beýik Ýüpek ýoluň ýüregi, Hakyda göwheri, and Ömrümiň manysynyň dowamaty – the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, mentions the merits of Mahmud al-Kashgari with scientific depth and gratitude, highlights his wise thoughts, and reveals the scholar's contribution to the study of the country's ancient history, thereby elevating the authority of this outstanding thinker of the East.

The conference also featured the presentation of the bilingual book Aşyk bolmuşam, which includes selected works by the Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Pyragy. The publication was prepared in Turkmen and Azerbaijani languages by the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation in honor of the poet's 300th anniversary and symbolizes the cultural cooperation between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

The presentation of the collection brought together representatives of the academic community and the diplomatic corps, emphasizing the importance of preserving the common literary heritage and developing intercultural dialogue among Turkic-speaking peoples.

ORIENT

Photo: turkmenmetbugat.gov.tm