II Conference on the Modernization of Turkic Tamgas was held in Baku on May 1, 2026, jointly organized by the Department of History and Archaeology at Khazar and the Turkic Language Association. The event, which carries significant importance in terms of preserving the common cultural heritage of the Turkic world and transmitting it to future generations, left a lasting impression with outcomes that were notable both scientifically and strategically.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Telman Nusratoglu, Head of the Department of History and Archaeology at Khazar University, emphasized the significance of the event, noting that the research and modernization of Turkic tamgas constitutes a strategic matter in terms of the shared scientific heritage of the Turkic world. He stated that Azerbaijan's role as a host for scientific initiatives in this field is of particular importance. Göybəy Uluç, President of the Turkic Language Association, underscored that Turkic tamgas represent not merely a historical writing system but also the cultural memory of Turkic identity, adding that the work carried out in this field strengthens shared Turkic scientific cooperation. Gökhan Seyhan, Director of the Yunus Emre Institute Baku Representative Office, highlighted in his address the role of joint projects in developing cultural ties among Turkic world countries and stressed the importance of ensuring the continuity of such scientific events.
The conference brought together prominent scholars, researchers, and specialists from Türkiye and various Turkic states. The event was enriched by presentations from distinguished academics and experts, including Prof. Erhan Aydın, Prof. Hatice Şirin, Assoc. Prof. Mihriban Aydın, Dr. Nurdin Useev — official representative of the International Turkic Academy — Dr. Oder Alizade from Khazar, Dr. Dilbar Jamali from the Institute of Linguistics of the ANAS, and Günay Mirzayeva, a teacher at E.Movlamov Abiryatag Village Secondary School. Participants engaged in extensive discussions on the historical development of Turkic tamgas, their semantic characteristics, and the prospects for their use in the modern era. The event was realized with the support of the Kamuran-Şefik Kırca Foundation.
Based on the resolution adopted at the conclusion of the conference, the modernization of Turkic tamgas must be continued within the new writing rules and a systematic structure aligned with the needs of future generations. This process is regarded as a strategic step toward the formation of a common cultural and writing system across the Turkic world. The resolution states that the work undertaken to strengthen the shared cultural space encompassing Turkic communities must extend to the entire Turkic world, with Türkiye and Azerbaijan at the forefront. The document further emphasizes that it is essential to continue efforts to adapt tamgas to the "Common Turkic Alphabet" (comprising 34 letters and adopted by the International Turkic Academy in 2024) as the foundational framework. In accordance with the resolution, it is envisaged that relevant institutions will be approached to ensure the adaptation of the prepared materials to international standards and their submission to the Unicode system. The resolution was signed and endorsed by the participating scholars and officially adopted.
In order to bring the event to the attention of the international public, a special recording was made by TRT Avaz television channel. The link to the prepared video material is provided below:
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