Kazakhstan: Turkish library offers 50,000 books

By Aliia Raimbekova

ASTANA (AA) - A Turkish library in Kazakhstan attracts domestic and foreign experts and students of Turkish studies, with nearly 50,000 books and manuscripts.

The Turkish Library in the palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Kazakhstan’s capital city Astana has copies of thousands of books, manuscripts and works of renowned experts of Turkish studies -- including Istvan Kongur, Abdulveli Kaydar, Abjan Kurisjanuli, and Zeki Velidi Togan.

"I am doing a thesis on Turkish-Kazakh terminology. I can find the necessary information here," a student of Turcology Department of Lev Gumilev Eurasian National University Joldanova, told Anadolu Agency.

The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (also known as the Palace of Peace and Accord) is a symbol of friendship, unity and peace in Kazakhstan. There is Academy of the Turkic World in the place.

Feruza Serikova, a student of philology, said she is working on her thesis and that the books in the library are very “helpful”.

The library was opened in 2010 with neary 1,500 books given by Kazakhstan Scientific Library and around 850 books from Turkey. Now the number of books has reached a total of 50,000.

The purpose of opening the library was to create a specialized library of Turkish studies, Akedil Toysanuli, a librarian said, adding they have a direct relationship with the scientists who are researching Turcology to collect the books.

“Our library currently has Zeki Velidi Togan’s 150 books from Turkey," he said.

Apart from this, 15 books and hand writings of the Hungarian expert of Turkish studies Ivan Konor Mandoki were given to the library by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Toysanuli added.