With art and heritage as the cornerstones of its development and goals to further cultural collaborations, Turkmenistan’s Anev City has succeeded Shusha city as the next Cultural Capital of the Turkic World for 2024.

Come New year and Turkmenistan’s Anev City, on the outskirts of the capital Asghabat, will take the mantle from Susha in Azerbaijan as the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World for 2024.

According to a press statement by TURKSOY, the concept of ‘Cultural Capital of the Turkic World’ was introduced in 2010 Summit of the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) in Istanbul. According to the resolution, every year, a city from the Turkic World countries is declared a ‘cultural capital.’

It adds that in the recent past, Kazakhstan’s Astana and Turkistan were nominated as the cultural capitals of the Turkic world in 2012 and 2017, respectively.

Attending the ceremony was Turkmenistan Minister of Culture Atageldi Shamuradov, who expressed optimism about the ample opportunities for cultural collaboration among Turkic states and commended the activities undertaken by TURKSOY.

The statement adds that ceremony participants witnessed a video presentation about Anev, followed by a concert programme with the participation of masters of arts and young talents from Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The statement adds that Azerbaijani Minister of Culture Adil Kerimli was also present during the ceremony, who highlighted the numerous events hosted in Shusha to showcase the rich cultural heritage of both Azerbaijan and the broader Turkish world.

“The historical and cultural structures of Shusha are also being restored, bringing cultural life back to Shusha,” said Kerimli.