The VIII International Turkic World Tourism Congress — VIII Uluslararası Türk Dünyası Turizm Kongresi — took place in Ankara on September 25–27, 2026.
This major international event brought together representatives of tourism and culture, the academic community, universities, public organizations and institutions from countries of the Turkic world. The congress was hosted by Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University.
Gagauzia was represented at the forum by Marina Semionova, Head of the General Directorate of Culture of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia; Irina Constantinova, Director of the M. Marunevich Scientific Research Centre; Serghei Zaharia, Rector of Comrat State University, Doctor and Associate Professor; the Gagauzia Wine and Tourism Office; and the Gagauz Song and Dance Ensemble Düz-Ava, an Honoured Ensemble of the Republic of Moldova, led by Tatiana Shchiogoleva, Master of Arts of the Republic of Moldova and Head of the Department of Culture and Arts.
Gagauzia’s participation was a prominent part of both the professional and cultural programmes of the congress. On the first day, the Gagauz Song and Dance Ensemble Düz-Ava welcomed guests at the Itrî Congress and Cultural Centre. The organizers included the ensemble’s performance in the official welcome ceremony alongside the TÜRKSOY exhibition and the traditional Saçı ceremony.
At the official opening ceremony, Marina Semionova, Head of the General Directorate of Culture of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, delivered a welcome address.
During the thematic session “Tourism and Development in the Turkic World”, Irina Constantinova, Director of the M. V. Marunevich Scientific Research Centre of Gagauzia, presented the report “Tourism and Development of Gagauzia in the Context of Developing Cooperation among Countries of the Turkic World” (“Gagauzya’nın Turizm ve Gelişimi: Türk Dünyası Ülkeleri Arasındaki İş Birliğinin Geliştirilmesi Bağlamında”). Serghei Zaharia, Rector of Comrat State University, also presented a report online.
Gagauz culture held a special place in the programme. The Gagauz Song and Dance Ensemble Düz-Ava, an Honoured Ensemble of the Republic of Moldova, performed three times during the congress. The artists presented the national choreography, music and traditions of the Gagauz people.
