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UNESCO has officially designated December 15 as World Turkic Language Family Day, aiming to highlight and promote the shared linguistic, cultural, and documentary heritage of Turkic-speaking nations.
The decision was adopted during UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where a draft resolution based on a proposal by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was discussed and approved. The conference, which began on Oct. 30 with participation from more than 5,000 delegates representing 194 countries, will run until Nov. 13.
Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Gulnur Aybet, expressed gratitude to the Turkic states—Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan—for jointly submitting the proposal, while also acknowledging 26 co-sponsoring nations, including Turkmenistan.
Aybet emphasized that languages represent “not only tools of communication but also the soul of civilizations,” preserving memory, identity, and cultural continuity across generations. She noted that Turkic languages are spoken by more than 200 million people across a broad geographic span, forming a rich cultural landscape shaped by centuries of shared values and history.
The chosen date, December 15, marks the deciphering of the Orkhon Inscriptions, among the earliest known written Turkic records, dating back to the 8th century. This milestone is widely considered a foundational moment in Turkic literary and cultural history.
Aybet stated that the designation underscores UNESCO’s enduring support for multilingualism, cultural diversity, and dialogue among nations, while strengthening ties among Turkic peoples and promoting global appreciation of their shared linguistic heritage.
The new international observance will be celebrated annually and is expected to encourage cultural programs, academic initiatives, and cooperation among countries where Turkic languages are spoken.
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