The article presents an analysis of the “Ethics of Turkish Studies Research” scientific session, which took place in 2025. The event brought together representatives from different generations of Turkologists from leading research schools in Russia and was timed to coincide with the Ottomanist and Turkologist Day. The article provides information about the establishment of the holiday and its key features, as well as details about the topics discussed at the session. The session addressed several important issues, including the significance of ethical considerations in modern Oriental studies, the factors that influence Turkologists in their professional research on Turkey, the need for cultural distance when studying a society, the responsibilities of the Turkologist towards the professional community, the limitations imposed by the environment, and the intermediary and representative roles of the Turkologist in promoting intercultural dialogue. The article discusses the state and national interests of Turkology and the need for an ethical code for professionals in this field. The professional goal setting of a Turkologist was discussed separately with special attention to the development of science and knowledge of the unknown; the preservation of “relics of the past” and disappearing monuments, manuscripts and object collections; the representation and protection of foreign culture; the development of intercultural dialogue and good-neighborly relations; the protection and promotion of the state interests. The article concludes with a Memo to a young Turkologist, developed by the organizers of the scientific session based on the conclusions and suggestions of participants and in response to a request from the younger generation of Turkologists.
Turkish Studies, ethics, Turkey, field research, cultural distance.