‘Culture unites hearts with universal bonds’: Emine Erdoğan visits the Kyrgyz Republic

First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye Emine Erdoğan was accompanying President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his working visit to Kyrgyzstan, where the 11th Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was taking place on 6 November 2024.

The summit, under the motto ‘Empowering the Turkic World: Economic Integration, Sustainable Development, Digital Future, and Security for All,’ gathered the Presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. Leaders from different countries exchanged views on how to address shared challenges and seize opportunities to strengthen the Turkic world’s development further.

In Kyrgyzstan, the First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye, Emine Erdoğan, met with the First Lady of Kyrgyzstan, Aigul Japarova, and attended the Turkish Maarif Foundation’s complex in Bishkek, where approximately 1,453 students of every age are educated. After touring such thematic sections of the complex as the Computer and Robotic Coding Workshop and English Chamber, honoured guests proceeded to the kindergarten classes, where local children performed the musical concert for them.

‘This educational centre opens a door where our Kyrgyz children can be empowered with knowledge and realise their dreams. Our common wish is that the generations who grow up with education and are moulded with values will be guided full of light that will benefit both their own countries and the Turkic world’, – said Emine Erdoğan.

Read more: Emine Erdoğan visited the Turkish Maarif Foundation’s kindergarten in Belgrade together with Tamara Vučić.

Two First Ladies then paid a visit to the National Center of Maternity and Childhood Care, where women with their children can receive specialised treatment.

‘As in every field, I wish that the cooperation between our countries in the health field will develop and increase. I sincerely congratulate all the workers of the hospital, which is one of the largest and most comprehensive health centres in the country and a healing door for mothers and children’, – noted Mrs Erdoğan.

The First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye also attended a dinner in honour of the First Lady of Kyrgyzstan, Aigul Japarova, and the wife of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Anikó Lévai.

Three First Ladies then visited the Ala-Archa National Park and the National Historical Museum of the Kyrgyz Republic, which is a gateway to the deep history of Central Asia. There, honoured guests examined artefacts from centuries ago and observed the richness of the Turkish cultural heritage and its ancient history.