Foundation chief: Baku's century-old spirit of unity lives on

The spirit of unity and cooperation that emerged in Baku a century ago continues to resonate today, according to a senior cultural official speaking at a commemorative event in the Azerbaijani capital.

At a plenary session during Turkic World Week in Baku, Aktoti Raimkulova, President of the International Fund for Turkic Culture and Heritage, said the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress was bringing together Turkic states and peoples around a shared history, language and cultural identity.

She said the congress, first held in Baku in 1926, had left a lasting legacy that continues to shape cooperation among Turkic nations, local media reports.

Raimkulova said a decree by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev marking the centenary reflected the country's recognition of the historical significance of the congress and its enduring legacy.

Describing the Turkic world as "like a family", she said the phrase had become more than a metaphor, reflecting the growing bonds among Turkic nations.

"The spirit of unity and cooperation born in Baku a century ago remains alive today," Raiymqulova said.

She added that the future of the Turkic world depended not only on economic and political cooperation but also on shared cultural values.

Humanitarian cooperation, she said, remains a key pillar of Turkic integration, with the International Fund for Turkic Culture and Heritage working to preserve, study, promote and pass on the rich cultural heritage of Turkic peoples to future generations.

"The better we know our common past, the stronger we can build our common future," Raiymqulova said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev