"Lithuanian Karaims” conference held at International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation

Baku, November 3, AZERTAC A conference and exhibition entitled “Lithuanian Karaims” were held at the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation within the framework of cooperation between the organization and the Embassy of Lithuania in Azerbaijan. The conference began with a video screening, depicting the history of relations between the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Republic of Lithuania. Opening the conference with an introductory speech, President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva spoke about the migration and settlement of a number of Turkic peoples in different countries, due to historical conditions. She noted that currently there is a restoration and expansion of relations with minorities of Turkic ethnic origin. The President of the Foundation stressed that the integration of the Turkic peoples is given ample attention and support by the Heads of Turkic states, as well as Turkic Cooperation Organizations. Gunay Afandiyeva highly appreciated the careful attitude of the Republic of Lithuania, one of the countries where Turkic peoples live, to the national minorities of Turkic ethnic origin living on its territory – Tatars and Karaims: “It is no coincidence that in the Republic of Lithuania last year was declared as the “Year of Lithuanian Tatars”, and the current one is the “Year of Lithuanian Karaims”. In 2021, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Foundation and the Republic of Lithuania in order to preserve and further promote the historical and cultural heritage of the Lithuanian Tatars and Karaims. "Lithuanian Tatars" exhibition was opened at the Foundation with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, where rare portraits of prominent personalities of the Lithuanian Tatars and historical photos reflecting their traditions were displayed. The President of the Foundation noted that the Karaims are the smallest ethnic group of Turkic origin living in Lithuania. The Karaim community inhabiting Trakai has preserved its traditions, beliefs and, most importantly, language for centuries. Their language belongs to the Kipchak group and is one of the languages protected by the UN. Despite the small number of Karaims, they occupy a unique place in the Turkic world, and are also an important part of Lithuanian society. Speaking about the event held by the Foundation as part of the opening of the “Year of Lithuanian Karaims”, Gunay Afandiyeva said: “The event was made possible thanks to the visit of the First Lady of the Republic of Lithuania Diana Nausėdienė to the Foundation. Together with Diana Nausėdienė, we talked about the importance of interethnic integration, the contribution of each nation to the World Heritage, as well as the multicultural and tolerant values. And then we got acquainted with an exhibition dedicated to Karaims within the framework of cooperation with the Lithuanian Embassy in Azerbaijan. Today we are again organizing a conference, opening an exhibition, getting together to recognize and present the Karaim heritage. We study the historical and cultural heritage of the Karaims from the depths of centuries, once again look back at their past.” Speaking at the event, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania to the Republic of Azerbaijan Egidius Navikas assessed the activities of the Foundation as a contribution to the promotion and development of dialogue between the Turkic world and peoples representing other cultures. The Ambassador noted the importance of implementing a number of joint projects of the Foundation with the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Azerbaijan and expressed great satisfaction with the successful cooperation. The chairman of the Cultural Association of Karaims of Lithuania Karina Firkavičiūtė, held a presentation at the conference, telling about the ancient history, culture, the way of the Karaims from the past to the present. K. Firkavičiūtė talked about the Karaim language, religious beliefs, number of Karaims, as well as the work that has been done in the direction of preserving the uniqueness of the community and passing it on to future generations. At the end of the conference, memorable gifts were mutually presented. As part of the event, an exhibition of paintings reflecting the traditions, lifestyle and national dresses of the Karaims was opened. The exhibition was accompanied by national music and songs performed by Lithuanian Karaim artists Rytas Lingė and Augusta Firkovich. The event was attended by officials, ambassadors of the member and observer states of the Foundation, as well as other countries, representatives of Lithuanian Karaims, public figures.