Pamukkale University (PAU) hosted the “Şölen Okuntusu” event as part of the celebrations for December 15 – World Turkic Language Family Day. Enriched by cultural performances presented by students from across the Turkic world, the program brought together the shared values of a vast geography under one roof.
Strong Interest in the Cultural Festival
Organized through the cooperation of the Division of Turkish Education within the Faculty of Education, the Department of Turkish Language and Literature of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Language Teaching Application and Research Center (PADAM), the event took place at the Melek Sözkesen Conference Hall. The program, which began at 2:00 p.m., attracted academics, students, and numerous guests.
Six Countries, One Heart
During the event, the flags of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan waved side by side. Students from these countries who are currently studying at PAU assumed the role of cultural ambassadors. The program featured:
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Performances from the Turkic World,
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Poetry Recitals,
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Music of the Turkic World, and
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Folk Dances,
all of which received enthusiastic applause from the audience.
A Visual and Auditory Feast by Students
Students from various regions of the Turkic world recited poems unique to their homelands and performed traditional songs. Through their stage performances, the young participants introduced their national cultures and once again highlighted the unifying power of the Turkic language. Folk dances accompanied by melodies ranging from the dombrato the bağlama created an unforgettable atmosphere.
Traditions Brought to the Stage: Marriage Rituals
Some of the most colorful and emotional moments of the event were the dramatizations of traditional wedding customs from different Turkic countries. From marriage proposal ceremonies to henna nights, from traditional bridal head adornments to wedding processions, many ancient traditions were vividly presented through students’ performances. These reenactments demonstrated the striking similarities among traditions across different Turkic geographies and once again showcased the richness of shared cultural heritage.
At the end of the event, certificates of participation were presented to the students who contributed to the program and performed on stage as a token of appreciation.
