Cultural Diplomacy Initiatives of Turkic Republics Fırat PURTAŞ* Abstract Introduction This paper’s aim is to shed light on cultural TURKSOY, the International cooperation activities carried out among the Organization of Turkic Culture Turkic republics over 25 years of independence (Uluslararası Türk Kültürü Teşkilatı), and to analyse initiatives of cultural diplomacy was founded in 1993 by the Republic which they have undertaken on a global level. The main argument put forward in this of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, article is that the newly independent Turkic Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and republics determined a culture-based policy for Uzbekistan. Referred to as the their state building. While this culture-based policy has contributed to the establishment UNESCO of the Turkic World, of the nation-state and national identity on TURKSOY is an international the domestic level, it has also contributed to organization of cultural cooperation the recognition of these republics as esteemed members of the international community. between its member countries, having This paper is an attempt to disclose that as a been established on the basis of their regional cultural cooperation organization, common language, history and cultural TURKSOY has been a common platform values. Its main aims are to strengthen which has played a key role in the revival of the national culture of the Turkic republics as common bonds of heritage among well as in the promotion thereof on a global Turkic peoples and to transmit and scale. promote this heritage around the world. Since it is the first multilateral Key Words cooperation platform of the Turkic World, TURKSOY’s name retains a TURKSOY, Turkic Republics, Cultural symbolic value. Diplomacy, UNESCO, Turkic World. In 2016, TURKSOY’s founding * Prof. Dr.; Deputy Head of the International members celebrated the 25th Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), Ankara, Turkey and Gazi University, Department anniversary of their independence from of International Relations, Ankara, Turkey. the former Soviet Union. Over this E-mail: [email protected] 25-year period, these countries have 91 PERCEPTIONS, Spring 2017, Volume XXII, Number 1, pp. 91-114. Fırat Purtaş gone through a major transformation are clear traces of Turkic peoples’ deep process, overcoming many political, desire and struggle for independence economic and social issues, and even which they obtained in the beginning in the midst of this process, have made of the 20th century. In the 19th century, comprehensive reforms to policies educational reforms carried out by regarding their national cultures and the Jadidist intellectual movement identities. The main aim of these planted the first seeds of nationalism policy reforms was the revival of their among Turkic peoples. Roots of traditions and cultural heritages, along independence can also be found in the with the restoration of their individual ideas expressed by representatives of national and moral values. These, along two Jadidist organizations: the “All- with TURKSOY’s establishment could Russian Muslim Congress” (convened be considered a result of the new cultural three times between 1905-1907) and and foreign policies of Turkic republics the “All-Russian Congress of Muslims” after the collapse of the U.S.S.R. 1 (convened twice in 1917). It could The dissolution of the former Soviet be claimed that the philosophy of Union and the emergence of five new the Jadidist intellectuals played a independent Turkic republics opened foundational role in TURKSOY’s up a unique communication channel establishment, which embraces the between Turkey and the Turkic peoples motto published in Ismail Gaspirali’s of the former USSR. The willingness of these new republics’ heads of states “Tercuman” newspaper: “Unity in to strengthen their mutual cooperation language, ideas and actions.” by promoting a deepened cultural revival, integration and awareness, and to create a platform of multilateral cooperation, laid the groundwork for Culture-based policy the establishment of TURKSOY. At has contributed to the the end of 1992, immediately following establishment of the nation- the first summit of Turkic republics’ state and national identity on leaders, TURKSOY’s establishment the domestic level, it has also process was launched and its founding contributed to the recognition agreement was signed on 12 July 1993. of these republics as esteemed It is claimed that Turkic republics members of the international gained independence unexpectedly community. and without any effort. However, there 92 Cultural Diplomacy Initiatives of Turkic Republics When compared to the fall of other Having overcome the numerous pressing empires, the dismantling of the Soviet challenges of new independence in the Union did not cause much bloodshed. 1990s, Turkic republics pressed onwards But while their toll may be less than with cultural policies and initiated others’ throughout history, the Turkic cultural diplomacy on a global scale in republics paid a heavy price for their the mid-2000s. All along the past 25 bids for independence. The “Urkun” years of these republics’ independence, TURKSOY has been a key supporter of 1916, a revolt against Soviet forces, of these nations’ cultural renaissance resulted in the massive migration and and diplomacy. deaths of the Kyrgyz people. In the early 1930s, in Kazakhstan and other The aim of this paper is to give insight Central Asian countries, “famine” into the achievements of Turkic was caused by an intensification republics in reviving their cultures of collectivization, and resulted in and to draw attention to their global the deaths of millions of people. In initiatives through TURKSOY for 1937 and 1938, the Stalinist regime cultural diplomacy. Each Turkic republic has built its future upon its systematically repressed intellectuals. own unique and extremely precious The effects of these traumas are still cultural heritage, and under the felt. auspices of TURKSOY, has worked As the new Turkic republics emerged towards strengthening cultural ties as sovereign states, social and with the other Turkic republics and economic issues took priority over the world. Through initiatives they cultural affairs, however significant take on a global scale, Turkic republics introduce themselves to the world and efforts to restore traditional identities actively support the development of were made. Commemorative events alliances between nations. were organized to pay tribute to the memories of illustrious personalities of Turkic culture and history including As the new Turkic republics Abay, Manas, Magtymguly, Ali Shir emerged as sovereign states, Nava’i, Nizami Ganjavi, Dede Korkut social and economic issues took and Koroghlu. The Nowruz Feast, priority over cultural affairs, prohibited during the Soviet regime, however significant efforts to was officially celebrated once more, and restore traditional identities the reputations of intellectuals accused were made. of treachery were restored. 93 Fırat Purtaş A Conceptual Approach to single homeland and identity. While the Turkic World: Unity in a portion of the Turkic people have Diversity always remained in Turkestan, from their birth, Turks have migrated to new places across Europe, Asia and Africa, Although the term “Turkic World” 3 and have made them their homelands. may at first glance be perceived as a political term, it is more appropriately The Turkic World is similar to the considered a cultural concept. While collective French-speaking World, the the “Turkic World” explicitly unites Arabic World or the Hispanic World. the five independent Turkic republics, Just as Mexico and Bolivia are distinct it extends across state boundaries to nations that share the same broader more broadly include all neighbouring culture, Turkey and Kazakhstan share and kindred communities of Turkic- more similarities than differences in speaking peoples. From the “Adriatic terms of language, religion and culture. to the Great Wall”, Turkic peoples live across a vast territory, spanning the Turkic culture has been existing for Balkans, the Caucasus, Central Asia, many centuries and during this long Siberia, the Mediterranean basin and history, has been enriched by frequent beyond. Turkic language and culture encounters with other cultures. During serve as the common uniting force of the height of the Silkroad, the Turkic the people living across this extensive World saw some of its most glorious territory, and thus are the building periods. Indeed, maqams, tales, blocks of the “Turkic World.” As culture ornaments, foods, and other elements transcends state borders, it is impossible of Turkic culture in Kashgar reached to draw clear lines delimiting the out to Anatolia, with the Silkroad Turkic World.2 Given its wide expanse acting as not only a trade route, but across lands, Turkic culture is in fact a cultural bridge. The power of trade, characterized by a unity in its diversity ideas and materials across state borders of culture, with thousands of years of became apparent again at the end of interaction between peoples. the Cold War, when relations among the Turkic World and other nations This cultural diversity is the most were opened up, and a new glorious era distinctive feature of the Turkic World. for the Turkic World was ushered in. As the Turkic people did not settle on a single territory, they are distinct As an institution that came to the fore in from other nations that maintain a the post-Soviet period, TURKSOY has 94 Cultural Diplomacy Initiatives