Kayseri Becomes the 2027 Turkic World Capital of Culture
Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Memduh Büyükkılıç announced that Kayseri has been designated as the 2027 Turkic World Capital of Culture by TÜRKSOY. Standing out with its historical heritage, cultural richness, and visionary projects, Kayseri is preparing to become the cultural meeting point of the Turkic world.
Mayor Dr. Memduh Büyükkılıç shared the long-awaited good news after extensive efforts, stating that Kayseri has been selected as the 2027 Turkic World Capital of Culture by the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY).
Described as the “prologue of Anatolia,” Kayseri earned this title with its 6,000-year history and deep-rooted cultural heritage stretching from Kültepe to the present day. The city attracts attention with both its historical structures that carry the traces of the past and its restoration and transformation projects aimed at preserving cultural values. Emphasizing that this title is significant not only for Kayseri but for all of Türkiye and the Turkic world, Mayor Büyükkılıç stated, “This important step, which will turn our Kayseri into a cultural center of the Turkic world, will help carry our shared history and values more strongly into the future.”
Reminding that TÜRKSOY was established in 1993 by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Türkiye, Büyükkılıç noted that the organization carries out important work to preserve, sustain, and promote Turkic culture on an international level.
Thanks from Mayor Büyükkılıç
Mayor Dr. Memduh Büyükkılıç also expressed his gratitude to state officials who contributed to Kayseri being declared the 2027 Turkic World Capital of Culture: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, our Minister of Culture and Tourism Mr. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, our Governor of Kayseri Mr. Gökmen Çiçek, our esteemed Kayseri deputies, and the valuable TÜRKSOY officials for their strong support for our city. This process, which we carried out in harmony together, has brought Kayseri to the position it deserves on the international stage.”
The comprehensive efforts led by the Metropolitan Municipality played a key role in achieving this success. Projects implemented within the Kayseri Tourism Master Plan increased the city’s appeal in many areas, from gastronomy to art, and from sports to culture. At the same time, promotional activities carried out on national and international platforms significantly enhanced Kayseri’s visibility.
On the other hand, the Culture Road Festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will also be held in Kayseri starting from 2025, further strengthening the city’s cultural dynamism. Efforts are also ongoing to solidify Kayseri’s position in gastronomy, as it is included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Additionally, applications for the title of “World Sports Capital” demonstrate Kayseri’s international vision.
Kayseri Will Become a Common Meeting Point of the Turkic World
In this process, carried out in cooperation with public institutions, universities, and non-governmental organizations, Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality aims to make the city not only a cultural capital but also a common meeting point of the Turkic world.
With the events to be held in 2027, Kayseri is expected to become an important center that brings the cultural heritage of the Turkic world to wider audiences. This development is also expected to make a significant contribution to the city’s tourism potential.
