On the 15^th of May the event on the topic “National-spiritual values and family in folklore” was held at the Institute of Folklore of ANAS with the support of the Women’s Organization of the scientific institution, dedicated to May 15 - International Family Day. Opening the event with an introductory speech, the head of the department of Folklore and written literature, Doctor of Sciences in Philology, associate professor Leyla Mammadova said that in September 1993, the UN General Assembly decided to celebrate May 15 as International Family Day every year starting in 1994. He noted that in Azerbaijan, the family has always been considered the most sacred cornerstone of our society. National Leader Heydar Aliyev always paid attention to the Azerbaijani family and its problems. It is no coincidence that the Great Leader signed a decree on the establishment of the State Committee on Women’s Issues in Azerbaijan on January 14, 1998 and Mr. President signed a decree on the establishment of the State Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Issues on February 6, 2006.

The sensitive attitude of the First Vice-President of the country, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, to family, women and children issues and to current problems in this area, confirms it once again. The huge programs and projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation at the initiative by Mehriban Aliyeva are, in the truest sense of the word, the great support for families. The work carried out within the framework of the “Program for the Development of Orphanages and Boarding Schools” also serves the well-being and strengthening of the Azerbaijani family.

Then, the reports of the event such as “National and spiritual values in the context of the family in the 19^th century Azerbaijani dramaturgy” by Associate Professor Leyla Mammadova, “The embodiment of family values in Azerbaijani folklore and written literature” by associate professor Gulnar Osmanova, “Family values in our epics” by PhD Khayala Agayeva, “Mother of Winners – Azerbaijani Woman” by Afag Mustafayeva, “Family values related to national stereotypes in household ceremonies” by the senior researcher Lala Shabanova, “Family values and folklore” by Saadat Ibrahimli were made.

At the end, Sevinj Huseynova, the chief specialist of the department Education Department, spoke and shared her thoughts about the topic.