“Unity in Language, Thoughts, and Deeds: İsmail Gaspıralı” Program Held at KTMU


  • 2025-10-02

A meaningful program was organized at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University (KTMU) to commemorate one of the intellectual leaders of the Turkic World İsmail Gaspıralı, and to keep his ideas alive. The program titled “Unity in Language, Thoughts, and Deeds: İsmail Gaspıralı,” was held on October 1, 2025, at the Rectorate Conference Hall. It was attended by KTMU Rector Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan, Deputy Rector Prof. Dr. Almaz Ibraev, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. İsmet Altıntaş and Prof. Dr. Kamalbek Karymshakov, Secretary-General Assist. Prof. Dr. Fatih Ramazan İstanbullugil, academics, and students.

The opening speech was delivered by Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Aşık, who noted that historical figures are remembered for various reasons. Some are remembered for their victories, others for their political struggles. In contrast, he emphasized, those who shape societies through movements of thought and ideas leave lasting legacies.

Prof. Dr. Aşık stated that İsmail Gaspıralı holds a prominent place in the collective memory of the Turkic world: "Gaspıralı is a great thinker who dedicated his life to struggling with his pen so that the Turkic nation could stand on its own feet, gain freedom, and express its ideas freely. The principle frequently reminded to the youth by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan — 'Let us be united, strong, and alive' — aligns perfectly with Gaspıralı’s ideal of 'Unity in Language, Thoughts, and Deeds.' In this respect, İsmail Gaspıralı is an exceptional figure who has left a mark on history and serves as an example to us."

Following the speeches, a short film about Gaspıralı’s life and ideas was presented to the audience. The program then proceeded to the scientific session.

The second presentation of the session was delivered by Assist. Prof. Dr. Serdar Dağıstan, a faculty member of the KTMU Faculty of Humanities. In his presentation titled “Gaspıralı’s Objective and the Common Alphabet İdea: From Past to Present,” Dağıstan discussed Gaspirali’s idea of a “common alphabet” developed to achieve linguistic unity across the Turkic World.

In the scientific session, the first presentation was delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aida Kubatova from the Institute of History, Archaeology, and Ethnology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. In her presentation titled The Enlightening Thoughts of İsmail Gaspıralı and His Place in Kyrgyz Society,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kubatova emphasized that Gaspıralı was a universal thinker who defended the shared values of the entire Turkic world. She stated, "The existence of places named after Gaspıralı in Kyrgyzstan demonstrates that his ideas remain alive even today."

The second presentation of the session was delivered by Assist. Prof. Dr. Serdar Dağıstan, a faculty member of the KTMU Faculty of Humanities. In his presentation titled “Gaspıralı’s Objective and the Common Alphabet Idea: From Past to Present,” Dağıstan discussed Gaspıralı’s concept of a “common alphabet” developed to achieve linguistic unity across the Turkic world.

This special event at KTMU once again reminded participants of the shared values and spirit of unity in the Turkic world, centered around İsmail Gaspıralı’s ideal of “Unity in Language, Thoughts, and Deeds.”

The program concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the participants.

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