ANKARA, 30 October. /Dunyo IA/.  Embassy of Uzbekistan in Türkiye, in cooperation with Ankara University’s Faculty of Languages, History and Geography, organized an event dedicated to Uzbek Language Day, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Event received extensive coverage in the Turkish media. Articles were published by “Haberler”, “24 Saat Gazetesi”, “Son Dakika”, “TRT Avaz”, “Ankara Masası”, “Habername”, “Türkinform”, “Ticari Hayat”, “Ülke TV” and other outlets. Rector of Ankara University Necdet Ünüvar also published a post on X. The publications highlighted the shared cultural significance of the Uzbek language for the Turkic world and the symbolic importance of holding the event on the eve of the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Meeting addressed the history and development of the Uzbek language, linguistic and cultural ties among Turkic peoples, and efforts to promote the Uzbek language in Türkiye. Participants included Ankara University Rector Necdet Ünüvar, diplomats, university lecturers, academics, students and media representatives.

Necdet Ünüvar spoke about his recent visit to Uzbekistan, emphasized the “closeness of our languages” and remarked that spoken Uzbek sounds like pleasant music. Citing a study, he noted that Uzbek citizens begin to understand Anatolian Turkish at a level of around 70 percent after spending three weeks in Türkiye. He called on young people in Türkiye to learn Uzbek and visit Uzbekistan.

The academic panel featured Professor Aynur Öz Özcan, Professor Zaynabiddin Abdirashidov, Professor Gülsüm Killi Yılmaz and Associate Professor Can Teziç. They examined Mahmudkhoja Behbudi’s views on language, the role of Uzbek as a language of education and science, and the significance of Alisher Navoi’s literary legacy for the Turkic world. They also spoke about reforms aimed at strengthening the status of Uzbek as the state language. The evening concluded with poetry readings, violin and doira performances, and Uzbek and Karakalpak songs.