Turkic World Converges in Keçiören: A Wind of Unity and Brotherhood Sweeps Through

Ankara / Keçiören – Hosted by the Keçiören Municipality, the 2nd International Keçiören Turkic World Festival concluded with a vibrant finale at Kalaba Kent Square. The festival, which underscored messages of unity and brotherhood, featured an artificial intelligence-powered show and captivating cultural performances that garnered significant interest.

A Spectacular Close to Three Days of Cultural Celebration

The three-day event, bringing together guests from across the Turkic world and the people of Keçiören under a spirit of brotherhood and unity, showcased the rich tapestry of traditional Turkic culture. The closing ceremony kicked off with the ancient Turkic tradition of aşık atma (minstrel poetry duel). This was followed by the impressive performances of the Nogai Turks and captivating music and dance shows by artists from the Keçiören Municipality Conservatory. Conservatory artists Ozan Alver, Conductor İklim Eylül İlk, and Gürbüz Gözüm received great applause, while the energetic Shusha Group electrified the audience.

Prominent Figures Grace the Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony was attended by a host of important figures from politics, diplomacy, and civil society. Among the dignitaries were Dr. Zeliha Aksaz Şahbaz, Deputy Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP); Hüseyin Özlük, Deputy Chairman of the İYİ Party; Zafer Demir, Deputy Chairman of the Anahtar Party; and Yüksel Arslan, Ankara Deputy for the İYİ Party. Also present were numerous ambassadors, political party representatives, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) bureaucrats, civil society organization representatives, council members, mukhtars, and thousands of citizens.

The program commenced with a moment of silence for Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades-in-arms, and all martyrs, followed by the recitation of the Turkish National Anthem accompanied by the Mehteran (Ottoman military band). Prayers were offered and the Holy Quran was recited for the heroes who tragically lost their lives in the recent forest fires.

Mayor Özarslan's Message of Unity and Remembrance

Keçiören Mayor Dr. Mesut Özarslan began his speech by commemorating the martyrs of the forest fires, emphasizing that the festival was more than just an event. "Here, we are witnessing not just a festival, but a gathering of those who share the same heart. Today, the common conscience, common voice, and common heart of the great Turkish nation, which has shaped Turkish history for thousands of years, resonate here. That first breath, taken centuries ago when the iron mountains were melted to emerge from Ergenekon, has become our breath in Kalaba Square today."

Özarslan referenced historical figures such as Hoca Ahmet Yesevi, Sultan Alparslan, and Fatih Sultan Mehmet, expressing the Turkish nation's commitment to unity and the cause of humanity. "Our Great Leader, our blond-haired, blue-eyed Atatürk's torch of independence lit in Anatolia illuminates our path in Keçiören. We are the Turkish nation, and our cause is the cause of humanity. We are a nation that turns to the same qibla from East to West, North to South, saying 'amen' to the same prayer. Our languages may be different, our dialects may vary, but our hearts are one, our souls are one, and our cause is one." Mayor Özarslan stated that the gathering of brothers and sisters from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Crimea, Nogai, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Uyghur lands in Keçiören was proof that the historical legacy of "unity" is being preserved. He continued, "This festival is not just an event; it is also a reminder. It is a re-proclamation of who we are, where we come from, where we are headed, and our 'Kızıl Elma' (ideal)."

Thanking TÜRKSOY for its contributions to the program, Mayor Özarslan concluded his speech with resounding applause: "Let's join hands, walk together towards our future in the footsteps of our history. Let's grow the Turkic world's centuries-old dream together. May the Turan lands prosper. May God be with the Turks! May God protect and elevate the Turks! How happy is the one who says 'I am a Turk!'"

Political Leaders Deliver Messages of Brotherhood and Historical Emphases

Dr. Zeliha Aksaz Şahbaz, CHP Deputy Chairman, expressed her pleasure at being among the Turkic world representatives. "We are representatives of a nation that has stood for thousands of years. Wherever we go in the world, we encounter a Turk and Turkish culture. Today, we gathered here to celebrate our culture, language, and brotherhood. From now on, we will work to preserve our brotherhood forever."

İYİ Party Ankara Deputy Yüksel Arslan also delivered a greeting speech, stating, "No one has been able to erase the name of the Turk for 5,000 years; now, those who want to erase it should dig their own graves. May God protect and elevate the Turk."

Feyzullah Budak, Chief Advisor for Turkic World Affairs to Keçiören Mayor Dr. Mesut Özarslan, emphasized the historical power of the Turkic world. "The Turkic world is a powerful concept that has shaped life from history to the present day. This concept derives its power from the Turkish nation, which is its subject. We are talking about a nation that has made a homeland with great sacrifices throughout history and has high moral values... The Turkic world is the only concept that finds its true meaning in life."

Turkologist and Writer Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bican Ercilasun highlighted the preservation of the Turkish identity throughout history. "Who will remove the word 'Turk' from various texts, mountains, and stones? We have kept the name Turk alive for 1,300 years. We call our language, our mountains, our stones, our water, our forests Turk. How happy we are that we are all Turks."

Historian and Writer Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taşağıl stated that Keçiören felt like "the Second Ötüken" (the historical capital of the Göktürk Khaganate) for him that evening. "The concept of the Turkic world encompasses everywhere where Turks are present. We have preserved this for 5,000 years. It means unity in language and thought. Such organizations make us very happy. I thank our Keçiören Mayor, Mr. Dr. Mesut Özarslan, very much."

AI-Powered Show and an Unforgettable Finale

Following the speeches, Keçiören Mayor Dr. Mesut Özarslan and protocol members symbolically reenacted the Turks' emergence from Ergenekon by striking an anvil with a hammer. One of the most captivating moments of the festival was the short film, prepared by Keçiören Municipality staff using artificial intelligence technology, which highlighted the historical roots of the Turkic world. The film, shown on a giant screen, featured Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's voice saying "Welcome to Keçiören!", moving thousands of citizens gathered in the square to prolonged applause.

At the end of the night, Dombra artist Arslanbek Sultanbekov performed traditional folk dances and music alongside groups from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Crimean Tatars, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Uzbekistan. Throughout the festival, children were treated to popcorn and cotton candy, while citizens enjoyed Uzbek pilaf and ayran. The three-day event concluded memorably with a group photo session of participants, leaving behind messages of brotherhood and cultural richness.