(MENAFN- AzerNews) By Laman Ismayilova
The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the
Latvian Embassy in Baku hosted a conference and exhibition,
entitled 'Lithuanian Karaims', Azernews reports.
The conference started with a video screening, which highlighted
the history of relations between the foundation and Lithuania.
President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage
Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva addressed the conference.
In her speech, she touched upon the migration and settlement of
a number of Turkic peoples in different countries, due to
historical conditions.
She noted that currently there is a restoration and expansion of
relations with minorities of Turkic ethnicity.
Gunay Afandiyeva stressed that the integration of the Turkic
peoples is given major attention and support by the heads of Turkic
states, as well as the Turkic Cooperation Organization.
The president of the foundation noted Lithuania's careful
attitude towards the national minorities of Turkic ethnic origin
living on its territory- Tatars and Karaims.
'It is no coincidence that it was declared the Year of
Lithuanian Tatars in the Republic of Lithuania last year, and the
current one is the Year of Lithuanian Karaims. In 2021, a
Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Foundation and the
Republic of Lithuania in order to preserve and further promote the
historical and cultural heritage of the Lithuanian Tatars and
Karaims. The exhibition on the Lithuanian Tatars was opened at the
foundation with the participation of Foreign Minister Gabrielius
Landsbergis, where rare portraits of prominent personalities of the
Lithuanian Tatars and historical photos reflecting their traditions
were displayed,' she said.
Gunay Afandiyeva noted that the Karaims are the smallest ethnic
group of Turkic origin living in Lithuania. The Karaim community
inhabiting Trakai has preserved its traditions, beliefs, and, most
importantly, language for centuries. Their language belongs to the
Kipchak group and is one of the languages protected by the UN.
Despite the small number of Karaims, they occupy a unique place in
the Turkic world and are also an important part of Lithuanian
society.
Speaking about the event held by the Foundation as part of the
opening of the Year of Lithuanian Karaims.
'The event was made possible thanks to the visit of First Lady
of the Republic of Lithuania Diana Nausediene to the foundation.
Together with Diana Nausedienė, we talked about the importance of
interethnic integration, the contribution of each nation to the
World Heritage, as well as the multicultural and tolerant values.
And then we got acquainted with an exhibition dedicated to Karaims
within the framework of cooperation with the Lithuanian embassy in
Azerbaijan. Today we are again organizing a conference, opening an
exhibition, and getting together to recognize and present the
Karaim heritage. We study the historical and cultural heritage of
the Karaims from the depths of centuries, once again look back at
their past,' said Afandiyeva.
Lithuanian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Egidius Navikas praised the
foundation's contribution to the promotion and development of
dialogue between the Turkic world and peoples representing other
cultures.
The ambassador emphasized the importance of joint projects of
the foundation with the Lithuanian embassy and expressed great
satisfaction with the successful cooperation.
The chairman of the Cultural Association of Karaims of
Lithuania, Karina Firkaviciute, made a presentation on the culture
and history, the way of the Karaims from the past to the
present.
She spoke about the Karaim language, religious beliefs, the
number of Karaims, as well as the work that has been done in the
direction of preserving the uniqueness of the community and passing
it on to future generations.
At the end of the conference, memorable gifts were mutually
presented.
The conference was followed by an exhibition reflecting the
traditions, lifestyle, and national games of the Karaims.
The exhibition was accompanied by national music and songs
performed by Lithuanian Karaim artists Rytas Lingė and Augusta
Firkovich.
Officials, ambassadors of the member and observer states of the
foundation, as well as other countries, representatives of
Lithuanian Karaims, and cultural and public figures highly
appreciated the artworks displayed at the exhibition.
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