The organizational meeting of the Research Center for Altai Studies and Turkology "Big Altai" took place at Altai State University, where a plan of activities for 2026 was adopted. This plan includes the expansion of international cooperation, the introduction of new educational initiatives, as well as the active involvement of students and schoolchildren in project activities.
Participants in the meeting included both staff and freelance employees of the center, as well as representatives from Central Asian countries. The meeting was conducted by the rector of AltSU, Sergey Bocharov, and the head of the Research Center, Yulia Lysenko.
In 2026, special attention will be paid to youth, with plans to activate the participation of students and high school students in project initiatives. New formats proposed by partner universities and project group leaders will be added to the center's traditional activities, including international conferences, expeditions, and summer schools for young Turkologists.
A separate focus will be on working with educators. A pilot project is planned for teachers and students of secondary vocational and general education schools, which includes methodological seminars and educational programs dedicated to the historical and cultural study of contemporary Turkic-speaking peoples.
Scientists from the center in Russia and Central Asia will continue to conduct lectures, seminars, and participate in additional education programs and academic exchanges. Students from different countries will be actively involved in international expeditions.
The annual program also includes events dedicated to the anniversary dates of the Turkic world. During the celebration of Nauryz, a competition "Media Nauryz 2026" will be launched, aimed at promoting the cultural heritage of Turkic peoples.
Yulia Lysenko noted that the first results were already achieved at the beginning of the year: an exhibition of the center opened in Moscow, and an international author team began work on the third volume of "Chronicles of Turkic Civilization." Among the center's new partners are scientific and educational institutions from Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, and Uzbekistan, and it is expected that the circle of partners will continue to expand throughout the year.
