The large-scale construction work carried out in Karabakh and the Eastern Zangezur in recent years aims to restore not only physical infrastructure, but also cultural and spiritual life and collective memory. One of the most important issues for the successful continuation of the “Great Return” is the reactualization, that is, the return to circulation, of the folklore resources of the regions. The Director of the Institute of Folklore of ANAS, Doctor of Sciences in Philology Hikmat Guliyev gave information about it during his speech at the scientific session on the topic “Lachin: traces of cultural memory visible in folklore”.

He mentioned that the fact that the event coincides with the 5th anniversary of the Glorious Victory had special spiritual and symbolic significance. He noted that five years ago, Azerbaijan liberated not only its territorial integrity, but also its cultural memory and national identity from occupation.

Hikmat Guliyev noted that the liberated territories were not only historical lands for Azerbaijan, but also a place for the restoration of collective cultural memory. He noted that “The Great Return” concept was not limited to the restoration of physical infrastructure, but also served to strengthen national identity.

Touching upon the importance of the large-scale scientific research carried out on the Eastern Zangezur and Karabakh under the leadership of ANAS President Academician Isa Habibbeyli, Hikmat Guliyev noted that this activity was one of strategic importance in terms of restoring national memory. He mentioned that the event “The Academy’s Zangezurname: From Folklore Collections to Academic Researches” held within the framework of the XI Baku International Book Fair with the support of the ANAS leadership was also one of the contributions of Academy to the implementation of state policy in this direction.

Hikmet Guliyev said that a short film dedicated to Lachin titled “Lachin: From Destruction to Revival” would also be presented as part of the event. He mentioned that that film aimed to strengthen the value system, historical memory and spiritual attachment of the younger generation and served to bring the region's cultural heritage to the wider audience.