On May 26-27, 2025, an international scientific symposium on "Common Turkic Culture: Past, Present and Future of Oghuz Turkmens" was held at the Marble Hall of Khazar University. The event was organized by the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Folklore (ICAF) of Khazar University. The symposium was attended by Azerbaijani scholars as well as renowned researchers, intellectuals and scientists from other countries.

The opening of the symposium began with presentations by first-year students Nigar Alesgerli and Aydan Aliyeva. Through poetic examples reflecting the historical and cultural identity of Oghuz Turkmens, they emphasized the common heritage and national unity of Turkic peoples.

Assoc. Prof. Aynur Gazanfargizi, coordinator of ICAF, who made the first presentation at the event, spoke about the objectives of the symposium and noted that such gatherings are important for strengthening common cultural memory of Turks and transmitting it to younger generations.

Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, founder of Khazar University and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees, emphasized the necessity of preserving the ancient culture of the Turkic world and developing joint scientific cooperation. He stated that the common cultural roots of Turks must be re-examined today on scientific grounds and conveyed to future generations.

Gurbanmemmet Elyasov, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan, who was among the honorary guests of the event, spoke about the historically existing friendship and brotherhood relations between the Turkmen and Azerbaijani peoples.

Honored Scientist Professor Gazanfar Pashayev discussed the culture of Iraqi Turkmens and substantiated with scientific facts their unique place in the Turkic cultural system. He emphasized that Iraqi Turkmens have been able to preserve their identity to this day by maintaining the Turkic language, customs and folklore.

Prof. Dovletmurat Yazguliyev, researcher at the Institute of Language, Literature and National Manuscripts of the National Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, analyzed the place of ancient Turkmen literature within the Common Turkic written tradition and, citing the creativity of Turkmen poets as examples, discussed the preservation of national poetic values.

Professor Siham Zengi from Baghdad University in Iraq spoke about the position held by Turkmen communities, the preservation of their languages and customs, as well as how the rich folklore heritage of Turkmens is maintained in their environment.

Prof. Eynulla Madatli, Deputy Director of the Institute of Philosophy of ANAS, highlighted the role of Oghuz Turkic intellectual heritage in the formation of Turkic philosophical worldview and explained the philosophical and cultural significance of this heritage in the contemporary period.

Henri Van Renz, one of the foreign guests (Netherlands) of the event, an Azerbaijanologist scholar known for his 640-page research work on Karabakh published in three languages, stated that he is currently working on Turkmen culture and that this symposium serves as a rich source of scientific material for him.

After the opening ceremony of the symposium concluded, the event continued with plenary sessions, presentations were heard and scientific discussions were conducted.

In the artistic segment of the symposium, Khazar University's Chamber Orchestra and university instructor ashug Ramin Garayev presented music in the national spirit to the participants of the event.

Nigar Alesgerli

Azerbaijani Language and Literature specialization, 1st year