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Turkic culture celebrated at the European Parliament

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An evening of music and a photographic exhibition at the European Parliament has celebrated the close links between countries with a Turkic heritage. It was also a recognition of the importance of the European Union to those countries -and of their importance to the EU, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.

The cultural ties between the different countries speaking Turkic languages is given political expression by the Organisation of Turkic States. It brings together Turkey, Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries with a shared linguistic and cultural heritage.

That heritage was celebrated at the European Parliament with a photographic exhibition marking the choice of the ancient Turkish city of Bursa as this year’s cultural capital of the Turkic world. It included pictures of cultural landmarks from all across the Turkic lands.

MEPs and other guests were also treated to a piano recital by the renowned composer, conductor and pianist Turan Manafzade, who is from Azerbaijan. She received her musical education in both Baku and Istanbul and had prepared a series of pieces that included traditional tunes, her own compositions and in a nod to Europe’s own cultural heritage, some Italian favourites as well.

In his introduction, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the EU, Vaqif Sadiqov, observed that this coming together in culture at the European Parliament was at a time of major challenges for EU member states and its partners and neighbours.

He said the European Union had never been stronger and was a very important part of the global world order in these difficult times. He also stressed the importance of the European Parliament as a source of democratic legitimacy.

Ambassador Sadiqov said the Organisation of Turkic States, founded in 2009 (as the Turkic Council), was a relatively new player in the global network. But he said it was an immense organisation, uniting 153 million people in a vast area across Europe and Eurasia that covers over four million square kilometres.

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The Ambassador said the Organisation of Turkic States is an important political, cultural and economic player, with the objective of bringing together countries that have been part of the Turkic world since ancient civilisations. Now they are cooperating in the whole network of international relations.

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