UNESCO has officially established 15 December as a day to celebrate the Turkic language family, underscoring the shared linguistic and cultural heritage of Turkic‑speaking peoples and reinforcing the agency’s broader commitment to multilingualism and cultural diversity.
A historic date
The choice of 15 December traces back to a pivotal moment in linguistic research. On that day in 1893, Danish linguist Vilhelm Thomsen announced that he had decoded the alphabet of the Orkhon Inscriptions, some of the earliest written records of Turkic languages. His breakthrough laid the groundwork for modern understanding of a linguistic tradition that now links dozens of communities across Eurasia.
A global language family
Turkic languages—including Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Turkish, Turkmen and Uzbek—are spoken natively by more than 200 million people across an area of roughly 12 million square kilometres. UNESCO notes that these languages feature a rich written heritage, strong oral traditions and diverse cultural practices that are shared among many Member States.
The proclamation followed a joint request from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan and received the backing of 21 Member States, reflecting broad recognition of linguistic diversity’s value.
Strengthening cooperation
UNESCO says the annual observance aligns with the United Nations’ multilingualism agenda set out in General Assembly resolution 71/328. By dedicating a day to the Turkic language family, the agency aims to foster linguistic cooperation, cultural exchange and dialogue among civilizations.
Planned activities include awareness‑raising initiatives, academic research and programmes designed to safeguard Turkic languages and oral traditions.
Annual celebration
On the designated day, exhibitions, lectures, literary events and artistic performances will showcase both the historical depth and contemporary vitality of Turkic languages. UNESCO describes the commemoration as an opportunity to honour linguistic diversity as part of humanity’s common heritage and to reinforce international efforts to protect languages as essential vehicles of identity, knowledge and cultural expression.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of UNESCO’s new commemorative day?
The day is intended to highlight the shared linguistic and cultural heritage of Turkic‑speaking peoples, encourage linguistic cooperation, and promote cultural exchange as part of UNESCO’s commitment to multilingualism and cultural diversity.
Which countries initiated the request for this observance?
The joint request came from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan, and it was supported by 21 Member States.
What types of activities are planned for the celebration?
Planned activities include exhibitions, lectures, literary events and artistic performances, as well as awareness‑raising initiatives, academic research and programmes to safeguard Turkic languages and oral traditions.
How might the designation of this day influence future efforts to protect other language families?
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