The forum titled "Turkmen heritage: Solidarity of civil societies" was held in Baku with the support of the State Support Agency for NGOs, APA reports.
Within the forum, two panel discussions were organized: "Shared values: traces of history and culture" and "Looking to the Future: new opportunities and initiatives."
More than 30 civil society representatives from Iraq, Syria, and Türkiye participated in the forum.
Speaking at the panel discussion titled "Shared values: traces of history and culture," Professor Gazanfar Pashayev, who touched upon historical roots and connections, stated that cultural relations between Kirkuk and Azerbaijan began after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The chairwoman of the Türkmeneli Women's Association, Fevziye Hasasu, began her speech by congratulating members of the Turkmen heritage on the Novruz holiday: "The Turks of Kirkuk and Azerbaijan share the same roots. The world knows this very well. The Turkish nation is the largest in the world in terms of population. When an Azerbaijani film arrived in Kirkuk, everyone would gather to watch it. Our culture, historical heritage, language, and roots are the same."
The editor-in-chief of Türkmeneli newspaper, historian, writer, and journalist Nejat Kevseroglu, spoke about the culture and history of Turkmens, emphasizing shared values and proposing the establishment of an Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Kirkuk.
The forum continued with a cultural program.
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The forum titled "Turkmen heritage: Solidarity of civil societies" has today kicked off in Azerbaijan’s capital, APA reports.
Supported by the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of Azerbaijan, the forum brings together over 30 civil society representatives from Iraq, Syria and Türkiye.
Prior to the event - on March 15-17, the participants visited the city of Fuzuli, named after the prominent Azerbaijani poet Mahammad Fuzuli, and other territories liberated from occupation including Shusha, Khankendi and Khojaly.
As part of the forum, representatives of civil society of Turkmen origin will hold discussions together with local NGOs in panels themed "Shared values: traces of history and culture" and "Looking to the Future: new opportunities and initiatives."
Following the forum, the Last Tuesday of Novruz will be celebrated in Baku together with the Turkmen guests.
