Vienna, January 12, 2026 – Turkic Week officially kicked off in Vienna with the opening of the photo exhibition “Turkic World on the Silk Road” at the Rotunda of the United Nations Office at Vienna (VIC). The event marked a symbolic start to a week dedicated to culture, dialogue, and shared heritage of the Turkic world on one of the most prestigious international platforms, DKNews.kz reports.
High-level opening at the UN
The opening ceremony brought together senior representatives of the United Nations and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), underscoring the growing international relevance of Turkic cooperation.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by:
- Bo Mathiasen, Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Director of the Division for Operations, representing the host organization;
- H.E. Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States;
- H.E. Samir Sharifov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, representing Azerbaijan’s Chairmanship of the OTS;
- H.E. Fatou Haidara, Deputy Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO);
- H.E. Driss El Hadani, Deputy Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
Silk Road as a living legacy
In his address, Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev emphasized that the Silk Road was far more than a trade route. For centuries, it served as a shared historical and civilizational space that connected cultures, economies, and societies across Eurasia.
He noted that modern initiatives of the Organization of Turkic States in areas such as connectivity, transport corridors, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchanges represent a contemporary continuation of the Silk Road’s legacy, adapted to the realities of the 21st century.
A visual journey through the Turkic world
The photo exhibition, jointly organized by the OTS Secretariat and the Turkic Academy, offers a visual narrative of the Turkic world along the ancient Silk Road routes. Through carefully curated images, the exhibition highlights:
- the rich cultural heritage of Turkic peoples,
- their deep historical roots,
- and the geographic continuity that has shaped a shared identity across vast regions of Eurasia.
Rather than words, the exhibition tells its story through images – connecting the past and present, tradition and modernity.
Cultural diplomacy in action
Hosting Turkic Week at the United Nations reflects the growing role of cultural diplomacy in international relations. The event demonstrates how shared history and culture can serve as bridges for dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding in a complex global environment.
The opening ceremony concluded with a reception hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, providing an informal setting for continued exchange among diplomats, international officials, and guests.
Why it matters
Turkic Week in Vienna sends a clear message: the Turkic world is increasingly visible on the global stage, not only through political and economic cooperation, but also through culture, history, and shared values. The Silk Road, once a symbol of ancient exchange, is being reimagined as a modern platform for connectivity and cooperation.
