Kyrgyzstan’s second largest city Osh has been named as 2019 Culture and Arts Capital of the Turkic World.

The city of Osh was selected in a meeting of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) in Turkey’s northern Black Sea province of Kastamonu.

Kastamonu was selected last December for the honor by TURKSOY.

“Next meeting will be held in Osh. I hope we will all meet there, I invite all of you there,” Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said at the closing ceremony of the 36th Term Meeting of TURKSOY.

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“2019 will be the year of Asik Veysel, one of Turkey’s most prominent folk singers in early 20th century, and Imadud-Din Nasimi, 14th-century Azerbaijani poet,” Dusen Kaseinov, the TURKSOY head said.

TURKSOY, which calls itself the UNESCO of the Turkic world, was founded in 1993 by the culture ministers of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey.

The international body has been carrying out activities to strengthen ties of brotherhood and solidarity among Turkic peoples, pass down the common Turkic culture to future generations, and introduce it to the world.

Turkish people lend hand to Bangladesh’s needy children Turkish benefactors contribute to the aid activities of a foundation to help destitute children in Cox's Bazar city of Bangladesh.Phothokoli Foundation was established 10 years ago by 17 journalists who witnessed the suffers of children on the streets."We saw children with no shoes on the street. When we asked them 'where is your mother and father', they said 'no'," Muhibbullah Shahin, head of the foundation, told Anadolu Agency.Shahin said the foundation aims to enable helpless and destitute children to hold on the life."May Allah be pleased with Turkish people, who do not deny aid to them. So far, we have reached 160 children. Hopefully, the aid will increase more and we will reach more children and try to bring them to life," he added.Maryam Nupur, a foundation member, told Anadolu Agency that the foundation spots orphans on the streets and meet their needs."We want them to have an aim in life. Especially, we are glad with the aid coming from Turkey," Nupur said.Eleven-year-old Mohamed Hassan said the foundation found him after his father died and when he collected garbage with his mother on the streets.Hassan also appreciated Turkey's help.