The opening meeting of Khazar University's Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Folklore (ICAF) took place on May 24, 2024, as part of the International Scientific Symposium "Culture of Ozan-ashugh: Historical Roots, Modern Approaches, and Perspectives" held at Khazar University on May 23-24. The event was inaugurated by Assoc. Prof. Dilbar Zeynalova, head of the Department of Languages and Literatures. Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, the founder of Khazar University and chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees, spoke about the institute's prospects. The institute's director, Prof. Ali Duymaz, participated online, extending his congratulations and comments on the institute's activities. Assoc. Prof. Aynur Gazanfargizi, the institute's coordinator, provided more detailed information.

The event featured musical performances by akyn Marat Sugirbay from Kazakhstan, bakshy Ilhomjon Norov from Uzbekistan, dombra player Shahan from Pakistan, ashug Kamandar Solekhey from Georgia, ashug Afgan Shamilov, and the university’s faculty member ashug Ramin Garayev. At the end, certificates were awarded to participants by Assoc. Prof. Irada Khalilova and Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli.

Note that on February 29, 2024, an order was signed to establish the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Folklore (ICAF) at Khazar University. The institute functions as an independent unit within Khazar University. Prof. Ali Duymaz was appointed as the director, and Assoc. Prof. Aynur Gazanfargizi as the coordinator.

Professor Ali Duymaz is the head of the Turkish Language and Literature Department at the Faculty of Science and Literature at Balıkesir University, Türkiye. He is also a commission member at the UNESCO Türkiye Representation. Previously, he worked as vice-rector and dean at Balıkesir University. His research focuses extensively on Turkish folklore, with particular emphasis on epics, Turkish mythology, and the folklore of Turkic peoples.

Since 2017, Assoc. Prof. Aynur Gazanfarghizi been a part-time instructor at Khazar University. Since 2019, she has been working as a full-time teacher of the Department of Languages and Literatures. Previously, she worked at ANAS Institute of Folklore and Baku Eurasian University. From 2019 to 2021, she taught Azerbaijani at Hebei Foreign Studies University, China. She has researches in the fields of Kumuk folklore, Turkic mythology and Tengrism.

The initial lineup of the center comprises 28 individuals, including 14 professors, 7 associate professors, 4 Ph.D. holders, and 3 other members. These members hail from philology research institutions across various countries, including Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia (Dagestan MR, Gorno Altaysk, Crimea, Tatarstan), Hungary, Moldova, Sweden, Georgia, and Iraq.

 For detailed and prompt information about the institute, visit the official website: kumafi.com