Turkish Republics Leaders to Meet in Sogut

Sogut is the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire, known initially as a "beylik," a territory ruled by a "bey." The Eurosia One Foundation, the Commemoration of Ertugrul Ghazi and the Sogut Festivals Foundation represent initial steps in commemorating this Ottoman birthplace and organized a trip to Sogut.

Consulate generals from Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzhstan, Kazakhstan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) participated in the trip, as did nearly 20 retired officers belonging to the Turkish Retired Officers Society.

In a speech given in front of Ertugrul Ghazi’s tomb in Sogut, Bilecik Governor Ayhan Cevik said that while the trip involved the participation of general consuls this year, future plans call for ambassadorial involvement next year and participation by state presidents during the following years.

The Eurosia One Foundation Chairman Saban Gulbahar stressed that these kinds of activities make a contribution that reinforces the relations between Turkey and the Turkish republics. Istanbul Branch Chairman of the Turkish Retired Officers Society retired Major Gen. Cumhur Evcil expressed happiness for the opportunity to participate in the journey and announced that he supported such cooperative studies and efforts.

During the years of Ertugrul Ghazi, tribes used Sogut as winter quarters and Domanic, a county of Aegean Region city of Kutahya for their summer pastures. During migratory times, festivals took place that included offerings of cooked cracked wheat and meat to the public. Following his death, Ertugrul Ghazi’s sons continued the festivals.

Present-day goals aim increasing the participation of the TRNC and the Central Asian Turkish republics at the festival, which this year will be held on September 12-14. This year’s celebration marks the 722nd anniversary of the festivities. Ali Ihsan Su, mayor of Sogut and Chairman of the Commemoration of Ertugrul Ghazi and Sogut Festivals Foundation, said it was important to have the states’ participation in the original studies involving the celebration.

Azerbaijani Consul General in Istanbul Ramiz Fikretli, Turkmenistan Consul General Nurberdi Amanmuradov, TRNC Consul General Arif Altay, Kazakhistan Deputy Consul General Kuralbay Bukharbayev, Kyrgyzistan Consul General Dilde Sarlagiseva and Uzbekistan Consul General Yuriy S. Kutbitbinov attended to the trip.

The tombs of Ertugrul Ghazi, Dursun Fakih and Sheikh Edebali were visited during the tour. Sakarya Governor M. Cahit Kirac and Kocaeli Governor Erdal participated in some of the celebration’s events, which included tours of several of Sogut’s ceramics factories.

Erkan Acar / Istanbul / TURKEY