Chughtai Art Awards 2026 ceremony held in Türkiye celebrating Pakistan-Türkiye cultural ties

Ankara Çorum: The award ceremony for the Chughtai Art Awards 2026 was held in the historic Turkish city of Çorum on Tuesday, organised by the Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara under the theme “Nature’s Wonders: From the Himalayas to Cappadocia”.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Dr. Yusuf Junaid, graced the event as the chief guest. He was joined by Çorum Governor Ali Çağan, Mayor Khalil Ibrahim Aşkın, and former parliamentarian Cemil Çağlar, along with senior officials from the Çorum Governor’s Office, the Turkish Ministry of National Education, students, teachers, and members of the media.

In his address, Ambassador Dr. Yusuf Junaid highlighted the deep historical, cultural, and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, describing the relationship as one rooted in shared values and mutual respect. He praised the chosen theme for beautifully capturing the natural and cultural beauty of both nations, calling it a powerful symbol of unity and solidarity between the two countries.

“Art is a universal language that fosters harmony and strengthens bonds between nations,” the Ambassador said, while commending the creativity and efforts of the young participating artists.

Governor Ali Çağan echoed these sentiments, stating that the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Türkiye continues to grow stronger with time. He emphasised the importance of cultural initiatives and youth engagement in further deepening bilateral relations.

Mayor Khalil Ibrahim Aşkın highlighted Çorum’s rich cultural heritage and its openness to international cooperation. He noted that events like the Chughtai Art Awards not only promote artistic talent but also play a meaningful role in building lasting friendships between countries through the participation of young generations.

In the main competition, first prize went to Nehir Aylan from Çorum Fine Arts High School. Second position was secured by Eylem Dokbaş, while third place was won by Elif Bera Yıldırım, a student of Özyeğdir Social Sciences High School.

In the Emerging Artist category, awards were presented to Batuhan Koyun (Atatürk Anatolian High School), Ceren Kıvan (Şehit Abdullah Tayyar Ölçük Anatolian High School), and Ece Kaynak (İnönü Anatolian High School).

Honorary certificates were also awarded to Samet Saygın (Eti Anatolian High School), Gözde Kayaer (Şengörlü Haydar Öztaş Anatolian High School), and Beru Yağmur Ertaşmış (Cumhuriyet Anatolian High School).

The Chughtai Art Awards are named after the renowned Pakistani painter Abdur Rahman Chughtai. Since 2011, the Pakistani Embassy in Türkiye has been organising the competition annually in different cities across the country, including Ankara, Konya, Bursa, Bitlis, Adana, İzmir, and Istanbul. The initiative has become an effective platform for strengthening people-to-people contacts and promoting brotherhood between Pakistan and Türkiye.