Türk Eğitim-Sen's Historic Visit to Kyrgyzstan: "The Unity of the Turkic World is the Source of Inspiration for Our Union Solidarity"

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan - Türk Eğitim-Sen delegation attended the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Kyrgyz Republic Education and Science Workers' Union and emphasized the strong ties between the two countries in the field of education and trade unions. The delegation, consisting of Vice Presidents Cengiz Kocakaplan and Erhan Bayram, expressed their appreciation for the Kyrgyz union, which has a centuries-old history, and gave messages of friendship.

Hundred Years of Sycamore: Brotherhood and Solidarity

In his speech at the program, which was also attended by the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan and representatives of education unions of many countries, Cengiz Kocakaplan, Vice President of Türk Eğitim-Sen, stated that a sapling planted a hundred years ago has turned into a huge sycamore today and expressed his happiness for this success of the Kyrgyz union. Kocakaplan said that they appreciated the fact that this deep-rooted union has been serving Kyrgyz education workers for a century, defending their rights and leading the struggle to improve the quality of education.

In his speech, Kocakaplan stated that they believe that the cooperation between Türk Eğitim-Sen and the Kyrgyz Republic Education and Science Workers' Union has created a strong bond not only between the two unions, but also between the peoples of Turkey and Kyrgyzstan and said, "We are the children of two brotherly nations coming from the same roots, the same culture and the same history. In this context, it is our greatest wish to further strengthen the solidarity between us as education workers, to increase the sharing of knowledge and experience, and to walk together to the future with joint projects."

Solidarity Inspired by Aytmatov

Kocakaplan also mentioned the world-famous writer of the Kyrgyz people, Cengiz Aitmatov, in his speech and said, "These lands, immortalized by Aitmatov's pen, have gifted us not only a literary heritage, but also a strong spiritual bridge that connects our nations." He stated that Aitmatov's understanding that "the unity of Turkic nations is the hope of the future" is the inspiration of their union solidarity.

Completing his speech by reading a stanza from the Kyrgyz national anthem, Kocakaplan said, "Algalay ber kyrgyz el, Azattıktın jolunda. Örkündöy ber, ösö ber, Öz tağdırın kolunda" (Keep moving forward, O Kyrgyz people, on the path of freedom. Continue to develop, continue to grow, your own destiny is in your hands), once again emphasizing the importance of brotherhood and unity. Kocakaplan concluded his speech with the words "Kyrgyz Turk is a tuugandık jaşasın. Happy to be a Turk!" concluded his speech.