BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. On June 2, 2026, a
grand opening ceremony of the Center for Turkic Culture and
Heritage, established with the financial support of the Turkic
Culture and Heritage Foundation, was held at the University of
Warsaw, one of Poland’s most prestigious higher education
institutions, Trend
reports.
The ceremony commenced with opening remarks and moderation by
Dr. Jan Rogala, Head of the Department of Turkic, Mongolian and
Tibetan Studies.
Among the speakers at the event were Professor Agata
Bareja-Starzyńska, Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies at the
University of Warsaw; H.E. Nargiz Gurbanova, Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to
the Republic of Poland; Saule Turginbekova, Counsellor of the
Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Poland;
Sinem Turgut Bingöl, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of
Türkiye in the Republic of Poland; and Rovshanbek Jabborov,
Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the
Republic of Poland.
In their remarks, the speakers highlighted the significant role
played by the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation in
establishing the Center, emphasizing its financial support as well
as the importance of inter-institutional cooperation. It was noted
that this initiative would make a substantial contribution to
strengthening academic and cultural-diplomatic ties and would
further promote dialogue across the Eurasian region.
The ceremony was also attended by Agnieszka Bereza, Senior
Specialist at the Department of International Cooperation of the
Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland, members of the
university’s academic staff, and students.
Speaking as the guest of honour, President of the Turkic Culture
and Heritage Foundation, Professor Aktoty Raimkulova, described the
opening of the Center as a historic event. She stressed that the
Center is not merely an educational space but also an important
cultural bridge between East and West.
Professor Aktoty Raimkulova noted that the establishment of the
Center is a tangible outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding
signed between the Foundation and the University of Warsaw, as well
as a result of the joint efforts of the parties based on mutual
trust. She emphasized that the Center would serve as a gateway for
students to explore the rich languages, history, arts, and
traditions of the Turkic peoples. The President of the Foundation
also expressed her deep appreciation to the leadership of the
University of Warsaw for supporting the project, as well as to H.E.
Nargiz Gurbanova and the staff of the Embassy of the Republic of
Azerbaijan in Poland for their personal commitment, dedication, and
fruitful cooperation from the very first days of the
initiative.
As part of the event, an official opening ceremony of the Center
was held. Professor Aktoty Raimkulova, Dean Professor Agata
Bareja-Starzyńska, and H.E. Nargiz Gurbanova officially inaugurated
the Center.
Following the ceremony, the embassies of the Turkic states and
partner institutions presented commemorative gifts, academic
publications, cultural exhibits, and educational materials to the
newly established Center.
It was noted that the Center, which will function as an
educational, exhibition, and workshop venue, will contribute to
promoting the cultural heritage and diversity of the Turkic peoples
in Poland and will serve to strengthen dialogue between scholars,
cultural figures, and the wider public.