10th Turkish Language Workshop held in Bulgaria, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage
The 10th Turkish Language Workshop was held in the Bulgarian town of Sevlievo under the theme “The Power of Civil Society: Solidarity, Participation and Impact,” bringing together diplomats, academics, civil society leaders and representatives of Turkish communities from across the Balkans.
Hosted by Bulgarian Member of the European Parliament İlhan Küçük of the Renew Europe group, the event focused on the preservation of the Turkish language, the safeguarding of cultural heritage, and the strengthening of cooperation among Turkish communities in the region.
Among the participants were Türkiye’s Consul General in Plovdiv, Emre Manav, Chairman of the Supreme Islamic Council of Muslims in Bulgaria Vedat Ahmet, Deputy Mayor of Çorlu Güner Çetin, President of the Balkan Rumelian Turks Confederation Sabri Mutlu, as well as numerous representatives of non-governmental organizations, scholars, and guests from Bulgaria, Western Thrace and Türkiye.
Calls to Protect Turkish Cultural Heritage
Opening the workshop, MEP İlhan Küçük stressed the importance of preserving the cultural heritage of the Turkish community in Bulgaria and the wider Balkans.
“Our responsibility today is to protect, study, understand and pass this cultural heritage on to future generations,” Küçük said.
Speaking at the event, Consul General Emre Manav described the Turkish language as one of the strongest bonds connecting Turkish communities living across different geographies.
He emphasized that Turkish is not only a source of cultural enrichment in daily life but also an important asset that strengthens economic ties and mutual prosperity between Türkiye and the countries where Turkish communities reside.
“Turkish is our most valuable treasure. It connects us regardless of the distances between our communities and plays a significant role in fostering economic relations and shared prosperity between our countries and Türkiye,” Manav stated.
Cooperation Between Civil Society and Institutions
Manav also highlighted the importance of cooperation between local authorities and civil society organizations in preserving and promoting the Turkish language and cultural heritage.
“It is a source of pride and satisfaction to witness this cooperation continuing for many years and to be a part of these efforts. The workshop’s focus on solidarity and collaboration makes this year’s gathering particularly meaningful,” he said.
The diplomat further noted that discussions on the Turkish language should extend beyond purely academic perspectives, incorporating cultural, religious and sociological dimensions.
“The inclusion of these aspects demonstrates the meticulous preparation behind the workshop. Giving a voice to individuals from diverse fields is also an important reflection of this inclusive approach,” he added.
Strengthening Turkish Communities Across the Balkans
Throughout the workshop, participants discussed the opportunities and challenges facing Turkish civil society organizations in the Balkans. Key topics included the preservation of the Turkish language, the transmission of cultural identity to future generations, strengthening cooperation among associations, and encouraging greater youth participation in civil society initiatives.
Attendees also called for stronger solidarity mechanisms among Turkish communities across Balkan countries, increased cooperation in cultural and educational fields, greater support for volunteer initiatives, and more effective use of digital tools to preserve and promote cultural heritage.
Additional sessions focused on the preservation of folk culture, the impact of migration on cultural structures, the role of women in cultural transmission, cooperation between religious and cultural institutions, and strategies to strengthen younger generations’ connections to their mother tongue and cultural values.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to enhancing regional cooperation and ensuring that the Turkish language and cultural heritage continue to thrive throughout the Balkans.
