The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced a new commemoration to highlight the shared linguistic and cultural heritage of Turkic-speaking peoples. This initiative aims to reinforce UNESCO’s wider commitment to multilingualism and cultural diversity.
The historic date chosen for this commemoration is 15 December, which holds significance in the field of linguistic scholarship. On this day in 1893, Danish linguist Vilhelm Thomsen made a groundbreaking announcement that he had deciphered the alphabet of the Orkhon Inscriptions, some of the oldest known written records of the Turkic language family. This discovery paved the way for a deeper understanding of a linguistic tradition that connects numerous communities across Eurasia.
The Turkic language family includes languages such as Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Turkish, Turkmen, and Uzbek, spoken natively by over 200 million people across an extensive area of roughly 12 million square kilometers. These languages are known for their rich written heritage, strong oral traditions, and diverse cultural practices shared among many Member States.
The proclamation of the new Day of the Turkic Language Family was made in response to a joint request from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, and was supported by 21 Member States. This widespread recognition reflects the value placed on linguistic diversity across different regions.
UNESCO emphasizes that the annual observance of this day aligns with the broader multilingualism agenda of the United Nations, as outlined in General Assembly resolution 71/328. By dedicating a day to the Turkic language family, UNESCO aims to promote linguistic cooperation, cultural exchange, and dialogue among civilizations.
Planned activities for the commemoration include awareness-raising initiatives, academic research projects, and programs aimed at safeguarding Turkic languages and oral traditions. The day will be marked with exhibitions, lectures, literary events, and artistic performances that showcase the historical depth and contemporary vitality of Turkic languages.
UNESCO views this commemoration as an opportunity to celebrate linguistic diversity as a crucial part of humanity’s common heritage. It also serves to strengthen international efforts to protect languages as essential vehicles of identity, knowledge, and cultural expression.
Overall, the establishment of the Day of the Turkic Language Family represents a significant step towards recognizing and promoting the linguistic and cultural heritage of Turkic-speaking peoples. Through this initiative, UNESCO continues to uphold its commitment to preserving and celebrating the diversity of languages and cultures around the world.
