A Historical Visit from Türk Eğitim-Sen to Kyrgyzstan: "The Unity of the Turkic World is the Source of Inspiration for Our Trade Union Solidarity"

BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN - A delegation from Türk Eğitim-Sen attended the 100th-anniversary celebrations of the Education and Science Workers' Union of the Kyrgyz Republic, emphasizing the strong bonds in education and trade unionism between the two countries. The delegation, consisting of Deputy Chairmen Cengiz Kocakaplan and Erhan Bayram, expressed their appreciation for the Kyrgyz union's century-long history and conveyed messages of friendship.

A Hundred-Year-Old Plane Tree: Brotherhood and Solidarity

Speaking at the event, which was also attended by the Kyrgyz Trade Unions Federation and representatives from education unions of many countries, Türk Eğitim-Sen Deputy Chairman Cengiz Kocakaplan stated that a sapling planted a hundred years ago has now grown into a massive plane tree. He expressed his joy at the Kyrgyz union's success, commending its century-long service to Kyrgyz education workers, its defense of their rights, and its leadership in the struggle to improve the quality of education.

Kocakaplan said he believes the cooperation established between Türk Eğitim-Sen and the Education and Science Workers' Union of the Kyrgyz Republic has created a powerful emotional bond not only between the two unions but also between the peoples of Türkiye and Kyrgyzstan. "We are the children of two brotherly nations who share the same roots, the same culture, and the same history. In this context, our greatest wish as education workers is to further strengthen the solidarity between us, increase the sharing of knowledge and experience, and walk into the future together with joint projects," he added.

Solidarity Inspired by Aitmatov

Kocakaplan also paid tribute to the world-renowned Kyrgyz writer and thinker Cengiz Aitmatov, stating, "This land, immortalized by Aitmatov's pen, has gifted us not only a literary heritage but also a strong spiritual bridge connecting our nations." He noted that Aitmatov's belief that "the unity of the Turkic nations is the hope of the future" is the very inspiration for their trade union solidarity.

Kocakaplan concluded his speech by reciting a quatrain from the Kyrgyz national anthem: "Algalay ber kırğız el, Azattıktın jolunda. Örkündöy ber, ösö ber, Öz tağdırın kolunda," which translates to "Keep moving forward, oh Kyrgyz people, on the path of freedom. Keep developing, keep growing, your own destiny is in your hands." He ended his address with the words, "May the Kyrgyz-Turkish brotherhood live long. How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!"