Yunus Emre Institute

Yunus Emre Institute
Yunus Emre Enstitüsü
Named afterYunus Emre
Founded2007 (2007)
FounderGovernment of Turkey
TypeCultural institution
HeadquartersTurkey, Ankara
Area served
Worldwide
ProductTurkish cultural education
LeaderPresident Abdurrahman Aliy
Websitewww.yee.org.tr

Map showing the distribution of Yunus Emre Institute branches in and around Europe, as of 2015.

Yunus Emre Institute (Turkish: Yunus Emre Enstitüsü) is a world-wide non-profit organization created by the Turkish government in 2007. Named after the famous 14th-century poet Yunus Emre, it aims to promote the Turkish language and the culture around the world. It has been regarded as a Turkish soft power institution[1][2] and was founded by the Presidency under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.[3][4][5] The activities, branching, and networking of the institute have most intensely been centered in and around the Balkans region.

History

Yunus Emre Institute was founded in 2007 under the Presidency of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It is funded through public resources. The first diplomacy center was established in 2009 in Sarajevo.[6] In 2023, its budget was 1.3 billion Turkish liras.[7]

In July 2024, former president Şeref Ateş and 17 other personnel were dismissed under charges of embezzlement and fraud.[7] Warrants went out for their arrest, and all but Ateş were found and detained. It is believed that Ateş fled to Germany.[8] The new president is Abdurrahman Aliy.

Programming

Artificial intelligence platform

One of Yunus Emre Institute's goals is to promote knowledge of the Turkish language. In 2026, the institute plans to publish an Artificial Intelligence-based platform to teach Turkish.[9] According to Yunus Emre President Abdurrahman Aliy, “This will be one of the world’s most comprehensive online language-learning platforms. A person with no prior Turkish knowledge will be able to reach an advanced level through this system, guided by AI like a personal instructor."[10]

Cultural programming

They have hosted numerous art and cultural exhibits that relate to Turkish and broader Middle Eastern culture.[11] In February 2026, Yunus Emre Institue hosted a Turkish-Nigerian poetry gathering to promote cooperation between the two countries and strengthen cultural ties.[12] Other examples of cultural programming include exhibits on traditional Anatolian bridal gowns,[13] Turkish history,[14] and Turkey's National Children's Day.[15] In 2024, it was estimated that Yunus Emre Institue hosted over 1,000 cultural events worldwide.[6]

Turkology Project

The Turkology Project supports academic Turkology departments around the world. It aims to train specialists to promote Turkish language and culture.[9]

Locations

The Yunus Emre Institute operates 93 cultural centers across 69 countries as of 2025, reaching approximately 26,000 Turkish language learners.[9]

Expansion

In 2026, Yunus Emre institute plans to expand more into South America and Africa. The popularity of Turkish television series in Latin America has already promoted cultural ties between the two regions, according to Yunus Emre President Abdurrahman Aliy.[10]

A Yunus Emre branch may be opened in Ashgabat in coming years.

List of locations worldwide

See also

References

  1. ^ "JTW Interview] Minister S. Kaplan:". Journal of Turkish Weekly. Archived from the original on 2012-05-12. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  2. ^ "Yunus Emre Institutes to introduce Turkish culture". Today's Zaman. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  3. ^ "Yunus Emre Institute takes over Turkology project from TİKA". Today's Zaman. Archived from the original on 2016-08-11. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  4. ^ "Turkey goes global as cultural outreach follows foreign policy forays". Hürriyet Daily News. Archived from the original on 2012-05-12. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  5. ^ "From the Bosphorus: Straight - Yunus Emre Institute a test of endurance". Hürriyet Daily News. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  6. ^ a b AA, Daily Sabah with (2024-12-29). "Yunus Emre Institute hosts over 1,000 cultural events worldwide in 2024". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  7. ^ a b English, Duvar (2025-02-01). "Turkish authorities file criminal complaint over alleged fraud at publicly funded Yunus Emre Institute". https://www.duvarenglish.com/turkish-authorities-file-criminal-complaint-over-alleged-fraud-at-publicly-funded-yunus-emre-institute-news-65479 (in Turkish). Retrieved 2026-03-18. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  8. ^ "Fraud scandal rocks Yunus Emre Institute: 17 detained". Türkiye Today. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  9. ^ a b c AA, Daily Sabah with (2025-12-21). "Yunus Emre Institute prepares AI-based platform to teach Turkish". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  10. ^ a b AA, Daily Sabah with (2025-11-05). "Yunus Emre Institute to expand in Latin America, Africa by 2026". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  11. ^ "Yunus Emre Institute hosts exhibition in Jerusalem on displaced Palestinian villages". Türkiye Today. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  12. ^ Abuja (Nigeria), APA- (2026-02-09). "Yunus Emre Enstitüsü hosts Turkish–Nigerian Poetry Gathering for Peace". APAnews - African Press Agency. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  13. ^ "Century-old Turkish bridal gowns bring Anatolian wedding traditions to Zagreb". Türkiye Today. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  14. ^ Sabah, Daily (2025-07-14). "Yunus Emre Institute marks July 15 in 68 countries worldwide". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  15. ^ thevoice (2025-04-24). "Yunus Emre Institute Hosts First Cultural Event Marking Turkey's National Children's Day -". Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  16. ^ "Lembaga Turkiye buka cabang di Jakarta untuk promosikan budaya dan bahasa". Anadolu Agency (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-07-22.
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