The VIII International Scientific Symposium titled “From the Common Turkic Past to the Common Turkic Future” and held under the theme “Turkological Folklore Studies: Theoretical Context, Practical Aspects and Analytical Perspectives” has officially commenced. The symposium is dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress and is jointly organized by the Institute of Folklore of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), the Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO, the Turkic National Commission for UNESCO, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and Hajettepe University of Türkiye.

The event, hosted at the Central Scientific Library of ANAS, began with participants paying tribute to the memory of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, by laying flowers at his bust in the library.

In his opening speech Academician Isa Habibbeyli, President of ANAS, noted that this prestigious scientific gathering was organized within the framework of “Turkic World Week” in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress. He emphasized that the symposium carries special significance both in terms of its historical responsibility and the contemporary challenges facing scholarly research.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Ojal Oghuz, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO, stressed that Turkology is not merely an academic discipline, but also a universal value that preserves the historical memory, cultural identity, and linguistic unity of the Turkic world. He underlined the importance of international scholarly platforms such as this symposium in safeguarding the shared heritage of the Turkic peoples and transmitting it to future generations.

Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, mentioned the principal areas of activity of Foundation. Concluding her remarks, she expressed confidence that the symposium would enrich scholarly approaches to the shared history and cultural heritage of the Turkic world while creating a solid foundation for new avenues of international cooperation.

Mustafa Shabanov, First Secretary of the Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO, stated that the symposium occupied a special place among the events commemorating the centenary of the First Turkological Congress. He emphasized that the organization of “Turkic World Week” in Baku reflects a new stage in the scientific, cultural, and spiritual integration of the Turkic world.

The opening ceremony also featured addresses by Member of Parliament Hikmat Babaoglu, Academician Kenzhekhan Matyzhanov, Director of the M.O. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art, Professor Ozkul Chobanoglu of Hajettepe University, Professor Metin Ekiji of the Institute of Turkic World Studies at Ege University, Professor Dr. Jabbor Eshongulov of the Institute of Uzbek Language, Literature and Folklore of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Professor Bayram Durbilmez of Nevshehir Hajı Bektash Veli University and Director of the ANAS Institute of Folklore Hikmat Guliyev. The speakers expressed confidence that the academic discussions held during the symposium would make a significant contribution to the development of a common Turkic scholarly perspective and its transmission to future generations, while also wishing the symposium every success.

The symposium, which will continue through July 3, brings together scholars from Azerbaijan and abroad to discuss the theoretical and practical aspects of Turkological folklore studies, as well as approaches to preserving, researching and promoting the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples.