On July 26, 2019, the subsequent event within the framework of the “The Second International Let the Forgotten Words be Kept Alive/ Following Dede Gorgud's Trail / Words” Project - the International Youth Symposium was held at the Ganja State University, being a part of the joint project of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Khazar University.

It is worth mentioning that the project is supported by the highly reputable scientific and educational institutions such as the Institute of Folklore of ANAS, Bayburt Municipality, Turkmenistan Academy of Sciences, Manas University in Kyrgyzstan, Ahmed Yesevi University of Kazakhstan, Institute of Language and Literature of the National Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. The purpose of the Project is to acquaint the younger generation with the cities, rivers, mountains etc., mentioned in Dede Gorgud’s sagas, instilling feelings of patriotism and nationalism.

The Project involves scientists and specialists, teachers and students of scientific and educational institutions of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

After holding the events in Ankara, Trabzon and Bayburt, Turkey, Batum and Tbilisi, the Project participants arrived to Ganja.

Opening of the event at Ganja State University began with the performance of national anthems of Azerbaijan and Turkey. After Dr. Vasif Hasanov, Director of the University’s Innovation Department, welcomed the participants, Javid Bagirzade, Associate Professor of the Department of History of Azerbaijan, delivered speech expressing pleasure at hosting the event.

Üçler Bulduk, Project’s Scientific Supervisor on Turkey, Professor of Ankara University, Alirza Balayev, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Khazar University's “Khazar Review” Journal, honored journalist, and following guests of the symposium – Dr. Eunkyung Oh, Director of the Center for Turkish Studies at Seoul State University, Selma Köseoglu, employee of the Yasemin Karakaya Science and Art Center, Ali Shamil, Head of Foreign Relations Department of the Institute of Folklore of ANAS, and Mehmet Sagh, Professor of Fine Arts at Akdeniz University, Khadija Babayeva, teacher of the British College of Azerbaijan, Aida Alakbarova, teacher of secondary school No. 1 in Sumgayit named after Ismet Kayibov, and Ayten Kazimli and Tunzala Abdullayeva, teachers of Kurdmashi village secondary school in Ismayilli region, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony, emphasizing the importance of the project both in general and in various aspects.

After the break, the symposium continued in two sections, moderated by Ali Shamil and Üçler Bulduk. Turkish university students - Serkan Karagöz, Ismail Sefa Urhan, Emine Temel and others,

Khazar University students - Aydan Guliyeva (1^st year student majoring in history, “Dede Gorgud in the Soviet era”) Fatma Aliyeva (1^st year student majoring in history, “Equivalency of the proverbs in Dede Gorgud’s sagas”) and Sabir Huseynov (2^nd year student, majoring in design, “Dede Gorgud while Portraying”) presented their research works on Deded Gorgud epics.

At the closing ceremony, Üçler Bulduk announced the completion of the symposium’s work and expressed gratitude to Ganja State University.

On July 27, symposium participants visited Agstafa and Gazakh regions. The guests were cordially welcomed in front of the Aghstafa Cultural Center. The cultural center, which was attended by intellectuals and cultural workers of the region, was a large-scale event consisting of official and artistic sections. Uçler Bulduk, the Project's Executive Director, Ainur Kazanfargizi, instructor at the Department of Languages and Literature of Khazar University, provided information on the project. Mehmet Sağ read his poem dedicated to the Caucasian Azerbaijanis. During the artistic section of the event, a concert program of well-known musicians of Agstafa, Gazakh and Tovuz, was presented. At the end of the event, Gulgun Karimov, Deputy Head of the Aghstafa Regional Culture Department, and Uçler Bulduk delivered speeches and gifts were presented. The project participants proceeding with their trip to Gazakh district, visited the “Dede Gorgud” Memorial Complex, the Museum of History and Ethnography, and the State Art Gallery.

The project participants, after returning to Baku, set off on a journey to Kazakhstan. From there, they are expected to visit Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. The project which started in Turkey will be completed in Turkey.