Turkish city becomes 2018 Turkic World Culture Capital

By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s prime minister on Wednesday attended a ceremony in the northern Turkish city of Kastamonu marking its becoming the 2018 Turkic World Culture Capital.

Kastamonu was selected last December for the honor by the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY).

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said they are excited that Kastamonu is becoming the culture capital of the Turkic world and that they will mark this with many events.

Yildirim said the most beautiful examples of Turkish house architecture can be seen in Kastamonu and it will continue to be an inspiring city.

He said they will keep Kastamonu alive with its architecture, historical artifacts, weaving, and unique cuisine.

"Our work is not only limited to cultural capital events," Yildirim said.

He said they are restoring historical sites abroad with the help of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

TURKSOY, which calls itself the UNESCO of the Turkic world, was founded in 1993 by the culture ministers of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey.