Orhan Kural: ‘Yakutistan is a wonderful land!’

A Turk professor Orhan Kural visited Yakutia for the second time. His first acquaintance with the northern region happened seven years ago. He is a lecturer of Istanbul Technical University , President of Turkish Travellers' Club, Honorary Consul of Republic of Benin, and Deputy to Honorary Consul of Republic of Ghana. He traveled all around the world – 176 countries. This time Orhan Kural arrived not alone but with two groups of Turkish tourists.

For Turkish visitors, TourService Center Ltd, Kural's partner in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), arranged two-week voyage along the Lena river.

– After my first travel, I told the Turkish mass media much about Yakutistan – that's how I call your republic, – said traveler Kural. – There is poor information about Yakutia in my country. I would say ‘Almost nothing.' This time I intend not to restrict myself to newspaper publications. I would like to write a whole book about a wonderful northern region, to speak in public, in radio and TV, and to give press conferences.

The population of Turkey is more than 70 million people. Among them, there are many rich travelers who can afford a long-distance journey. It's enough for them to admire Paris and London . It's time to explore such an exotic destination as the Sakha Republic (Yakutia).

Turkey and Yakutia are located far from each other. However, Kular is sure that these nations have the same Turkic roots, common things in history, culture, and literature. For instance, shamanism was also fixed in the history of Turkey .

Professor Kular is a formidable opponent to globalism culture. He doesn't support wild animals hunting as well. He disapproves smoking and alcohol. He is delighted with contrary values – original traditions and customs, virgin wildlife and safe environment.

By the way, Kural published a book with profound information on coals that became his gift to Ruslan Vasiliev, deputy minister of entrepreneurship, tourism and employment of the Sakha republic. Due to his interest in coal mining, he offers cooperation, for instance, university study in Instanbul.

‘The availability of Turkey is a real disaster,' says Kural. ‘ Spain has the same problem. Tourists do not interested in culture and history of the country they are visiting. They arrive only to drink alcohol beverages, lie on beaches, and have a crazy time. Actually, my country do not benefit from such visitors. Quite the contrary, negative outcomes prevail over profits. First, the army of arrived tourists pollute environment. Second, they have a bad impact on our children who accustomed to perceive guests as income resources. Youth started ignoring moral principles. My opinion is that Yakutia should not be open to mass tourism. There must be tours for individuals or small groups.'

Do you know that the Mustafa Kemal abolished traditional written language with Arabic characters and brought in roman type after he learned that the same had been done in Yakutia? So there are much in common between Turkey and Yakutia.

// 15.08.2006

Written by Yulya Khodulova
Translated by YakutiaToday.Com.