The ceremony was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan in cooperation with the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY).
The main goal of the project was to strengthen unity among Turkic peoples and expand cultural interaction between Turkic countries.
The event was attended by high-profile guests, including the Secretary General of TURKSOY Sultan Raev, the Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva, the Chairman of the Council of Elders of the OTK Binali Yıldırım, as well as the Ministers of Culture of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and Deputy Ministers of Culture from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey. Representatives from the Mangistau region and the Ambassador of Hungary to Kazakhstan Otto Ivan Rona were also present. Among the attendees were cultural figures and international experts.
Before the ceremony, the 42nd meeting of the Permanent Council of Ministers of Culture of TURKSOY countries took place, where measures to enhance the effectiveness of the organization were discussed, and decisions made at the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Gabala were implemented. The Council also welcomed the announcement of Andijan (Uzbekistan) as the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World for 2026.
The ceremony summarized the cultural program implemented in Aktau over the past year. Participants noted that in 2025, the city hosted more than 30 significant international cultural events—festivals, symposiums, conferences, and forums—gathering thousands of artists and researchers.
As part of the celebration, choreographic performances were showcased, featuring around 250 artists from various countries, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Hungary, and Turkmenistan. They demonstrated the rich cultural heritage of the Turkic world.
The ceremony concluded with the transfer of the title of Cultural Capital of the Turkic World from Aktau to Andijan, musical performances dedicated to Turkic unity, and a group photo. After the official part, a ceremonial dinner and gala concert took place.
