Turkish cultural center opens in Kazakh capital

The first center of its kind was opened in Sarajevo in October 2009 and another is being inaugurated in Egypt today. Turkey also plans to open Yunus Emre cultural centers in Macedonia, Spain, Germany and France. Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA) Kazakhstan Coordinator Ömer Kocaman told the Anatolia news agency that President Abdullah Gül will officially inaugurate the center during his visit to the country on May 24-26.

Explaining that books will be brought from Turkey to the center, which will also host many other references on various subjects, Kocaman said, "In addition to this, Kazakhs will be able to attend courses that will be offered for minimal fees."

Stating that the opening of the center was not widely publicized, Kocaman added: "Despite this, 58 Kazakhs came on the first day the center was opened to ask about how to enroll in Turkish language courses." Kocaman said two Kazakh teachers with doctoral degrees in Turkish language and literature and a teacher from Turkey will lead classes held at the center.

Stating that they chose to establish the center in Astana, which became the country's capital in 1998, because Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev places special importance on the city's cultural and social development, Kocaman said the center is located in the heart of the city and is easy to reach, Kazinform refers to Today's Zaman.

See www.todayszaman.com