On the 13^th -16^th of May the 6^th Turkic World Ashiq Festival and a symposium on Ashiq literature dedicated to the memory of Ali Akbar Chichek were held in Erzinjan, Turkey. The events were organized jointly by the Erzinjan Governorship, Erzinjan Binali Yildirim University, Erzinjan Municipality, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

PhD in Philology, Associate Professor Ilhama Gasabova and leading researcher at the department of Mythology of the Institute of Folklore of ANAS, also participated in the event. In her speech at the opening session, she discussed contemporary issues in Azerbaijani ashiq art and its contributions to the common Turkic cultural heritage.

Later, during the academic discussions of the ashiq literature symposium, Ilhama Gasabova spoke about the state support provided to Azerbaijani ashiq art and ashiqs.

The event concluded with a concert program featuring performances by ozans from various regions of Turkey, Iranian ashiqs, Turkmen and Uzbek bakhshis, Kazakh akyns and Azerbaijani ashiqs.