II International Altaistic Forum started its work at Altai State University
Leading Turkologists and specialists on Central Asia gathered at the flagship university of Altai Krai to discuss topical issues of the historical and civilizational heritage of the Turkic world, as well as modern processes occuring among the Turkic-speaking peoples, who make up the second largest population group in Russia (according to various estimates, about 40 million people) and numbering almost 200 million people worldwide.
“Since 2011, Altai State University has identified one of the key areas of its development - cooperation with universities in Central Asia and the Greater Altai. As a result of this work, an agreement between Altai State University and Gorno-Altai State University was signed in 2019 on the creation of a scientific and educational center for Altaistics and Turkology,” reminded President of Altai State University, Head of the project "Turkic-Mongolian World of Greater Altai: Unity and Diversity in History and Modernity," Doctor of Law, Professor Sergei Zemlyukov. «The Altai land, rich in historical civilizational heritage, gives us the opportunity for cooperation, for the implementation of joint scientific research and the creation of educational projects in the field of Altai studies and Turkic studies. The interest in this topic is enormous, which is confirmed by the second Altaistic forum that is opening today within the walls of our university, which brought together more than 300 participants. This is a new area of cooperation, which gave us the opportunity to create an effective alliance with the universities of Central Asia."
The results of the joint work of scientists from Russia and Central Asia countries within the framework of the REC of Altaistics and Turkic Studies "The Greater Altai" were presented on the first day of the Forum. In particular, the results of the International Ethnographic Expedition "The Greater Altai: Russia - Kyrgyzstan, 2021." Rector of the Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn, President of the Association of Asian Universities Kanat Sadykov at the opening of the Forum noted that the results of this expedition will reveal a lot about the parallels that form the basis of the ethnic mentality and traditional culture of the two peoples.
“The implementation of joint large-scale scientific projects over the past two years, says, first of all, is the evidence that the tradition of joint research work in various areas is being revived. This forum allows us to understand that Altai is the source for many existing spaces of Eurasia - those states whose main ethnic groups arose during the period of ethnopolitical processes associated with the formation of the territory of Altai,” added K. Sadykov.
Vitaly Snesar, Deputy Chairman of the Government of Altai Krai, Head of the Administration of the Governor and the Government of Altai Krai, during the opening of the Forum, thanked the flagship university of Altai Krai for its active position in the external segment of relations between the states of the Greater Altai, which Altai State University has been demonstrating over the past ten years.
“The International Altai Forum is a kind of result of the active work of Altai State University and universities of the Central Asian region to strengthen scientific, educational and cultural ties between our states. It is gratifying to see the quantitative and qualitative growth within the framework of II Altaistic forum, the variety of topics and directions proposed in its program. This Forum is a serious addition to the range of international events that are already being implemented in our region,” said Vitaly Snesar.
The study of the Turkic heritage was included in one of the strategic projects of Altai State University, which will be implemented by the flagship university within the framework of the Priority 2030 program, as announced Rector of Altai State University Sergei Bocharov at the opening ceremony of II International Altaistic Forum. He noted that Altai State University, together with the universities of Central Asia, has developed a unified approach to the study of historical, political and cultural processes taking place in the Greater Altai, which contributes to the strengthening of relations between our states.
It is worth noting that the organizer of the forum is the Scientific and Educational Center for Altaistics and Turkic Studies "The Greater Altai" of Altai State University, created in order to implement the project "Turkic-Mongolian World of the Grreater Altai: Unity and Diversity in History and Modernity" commissioned by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science of the Russian Federation.
On October 1, at Altai State University, the results of the work of the sections of the II International Altaistic Forum will be summed up, and in the afternoon the event will change its venue. The plenary part of the Forum will continue its work at Gorno-Altai State University.
