The Centre for the Culture of Turkic Peoples has been established at the University of Warsaw – the first centre of its kind at a European academic institution. The centre, established in collaboration with the Foundation for Turkic Culture and Heritage, will support research, education and intercultural dialogue relating to the cultures of the Turkic world.

The Centre for the Culture of Turkic Peoples has been established at the Faculty of Asian and African Cultures at the University of Warsaw. The centre was established thanks to the UW’s collaboration with the Foundation for Turkic Culture and Heritage. The centre will focus on disseminating knowledge about the cultures of the Turkic peoples and fostering intercultural dialogue. The official opening took place on 2nd June.

The event was attended by representatives of the academic community, the diplomatic corps and institutions working to develop scientific and cultural relations with the countries of the Turkic world. Among the guests was Prof. Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation, who was visiting the University of Warsaw on 2nd and 3rd June.

The first centre of its kind in Europe

Prof. Aktoty Raimkulova met with Prof. Maciej Raś, the UW Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Quality of Teaching and Learning. Also present at the meeting were: Dr Nargiz Gurbanova, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Poland; Prof. Agata Bareja-Starzyńska, Dean of the UW’s Faculty of Asian and African Cultures; Leyla Hasanova, Secretary and Project Manager at the Foundation; and Dr Jan Rogala, Head of the Department of Turkology, Mongolian Studies and Tibetology at the UW’s Faculty of Asian and African Cultures.

During the discussions, the importance of the newly established Centre as a venue for the exchange of knowledge, the development of international cooperation and the presentation of the rich cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples was emphasised. Prof. Maciej Raś thanked the Foundation for its support in implementing the project.

Prof. Aktoty Raimkulova expressed her appreciation for the University of Warsaw’s commitment to the joint project. She noted that the Centre for Turkic Cultures at the UW is the first centre in Europe – outside the Turkic states – to be supported by the Foundation for Turkic Culture and Heritage. She also expressed the hope that it would become a space for active academic and cultural cooperation, fostering the building of relationships between communities and cultures.