On 27 April, the Embassy of Ukraine in Türkiye, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), and the Ukrainian Gagauz unions held a cultural event dedicated to the culture of the Ukrainian Gagauzes in Ankara.

In his speech, Ambassador of Ukraine to Türkiye Vasyl Bodnar stressed that Ukraine actively supports the development of national communities.

‘We want to pay more attention to the development of the Gagauz community, preserving their culture, language and traditions. Ukraine is proud to be home to various national communities, including Gagauz, Crimean Tatars, Meskhetian Turks and many other Turkic peoples. These communities complement the multicultural mosaic of our country and help us in the fight against external aggression, defending our common freedom and independence.’

The Ambassador also recalled the contribution of the Gagauz people to the defence of Ukraine: ‘We are proud of the Gagauz heroes who are bravely defending Ukraine from Russian aggression in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Deputy Commander of the Marine Corps Mykola Palas became the first ethnic Gagauz to be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. Another striking example is our soldier with the call sign ‘Gagauz’, a soldier of the 79th Air Assault Brigade, who destroyed almost 60 units of enemy equipment.’

‘The Turkic peoples in Ukraine create a bridge between our country and Türkiye, contributing to better understanding and strengthening our relations. Today's cultural event is a vivid example of successful cooperation,’ the Ambassador said. 

Mahmut Cevik, Deputy Head of the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency, said that the Turkish side would provide full support in the implementation of such projects, especially in the context of the development of the language, culture and traditions of Turkic peoples in Ukraine. 

Yurii Dimchoglo, head of the Union of Gagauzes of Ukraine, emphasised Ukraine's support for the development of the Gagauz community, such as school programmes that allow children in areas with a high concentration of Gagauzes to learn the Gagauz language. He also emphasised that representatives of the Gagauz national community stand in defence of Ukraine against Russian aggression. 

The programme of the event also included a thematic panel on the cultural and political development of the Gagauz community in Ukraine. A separate important element was the performance of national bands that came from Ukraine.  The panel was attended by a well-known professor and researcher of Gagauz culture, Tudora Arnaut, who also presented her books translated into Turkish. Special mention should be made of the speeches of the heads of the unions of Gagauzes in Ukraine, Yurii Dimchoglo and Vasyl Kelioglo, who informed the audience about the situation in Ukraine, the situation of national communities and their contribution to the defence of the state.

The programme of the event included panel discussions on the cultural component, translations of books on Gagauz folklore, and famous works of Ukrainian classics. In addition, they discussed the fight against Russian aggression and the role of Ukraine's national communities in this process. 

The event concluded with a performance by the national band Kadynja and singers Natalia Deniz and Albina Kazanji. 

A symbolic and important element of the programme was the performance of the song ‘Chervona Kalyna’ in the Gagauz language, which has become legendary since the beginning of Ukraine's full-scale war against Russia. 

The event attracted a large number of Turkish citizens, including heads of foreign diplomatic missions, the Turkish Foreign Ministry, and heads of Gagauz unions in Turkey.