2016 DECLARED AS YUSUF KHASS HAJIB YEAR

2016 was declared as Poet and Philosopher Yusuf Khass Hajib year in TÜRKSOY member countries by initiative of Kirghizia. Kirghizia Culture, Information and Tourism Minister Altınbek Maksutov suggested this in the 33rd TÜRKSOY Council of Ministers held in City of Mary of Turkmenistan between 26-28 November under the chairmanship of TÜRKSOY General Secretary Dyusen Kaseinov. Azerbaijan’s City of Sheki was elected “2016 Turkish World Culture Capital” by vote of representatives who attended the meeting held in 2015 Turkish World
Culture Capital, Mary. A prominent name in Islamic Turkish literature, Yusuf Khass Hajib was born in Balasagun city in East Turkestan around 1017. He was known as Yusuf from Balasagun, before he received the title “Khass Hajib” for serving in Karakhanid State. At the age of 50, he wrote his famous poetic work titled ‘Kutadgu Bilig’ within 18 months. He caught the attention of Karakhanid prince, and was assigned as a senior government officer. With the name “Yusuf Khass Hajib” he made it to the history and literature.