Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Gifts Rare Seven-Winged Yurt to TURKSOY in Symbol of Turkic Unity

A delegation from Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region has presented a rare cultural artifact-a seven-winged Kazakh yurt-to the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) during an official ceremony held at the organization’s headquarters in Ankara.

The gift symbolizes the shared heritage of Turkic nations and aims to enhance cultural cooperation across the Turkic world, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The event brought together high-level officials and dignitaries, including Deputy Governor of Mangystau Region Tlegen Abishev, Mayor of Aktau Abilkair Baypakov, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Türkiye Yerkebulan Sapiyev, and Head of the Department of Culture, Language Development, and Archives of Mangystau Region Nurtas Sali. Also in attendance were TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Rayev, Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Serdar Çam, Deputy Chair of the Justice and Development Party Kürşad Zorlu, and Mayor of Ankara Vasip Şahin.

In his address, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Rayev described the wooden yurt as a potent symbol of unity and solidarity among Turkic peoples. He also commended the city of Aktau, which currently holds the title of Cultural Capital of the Turkic World, for its growing prominence as a cultural center on the Caspian Sea and a meeting point for diverse Turkic traditions.

The ceremony concluded with a vibrant cultural program featuring traditional music and dance performances by artists from Mangystau, showcasing the region's rich artistic heritage.

The event forms part of the ongoing celebration of Aktau’s designation as the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World, which was officially launched on April 5.