Within the framework of Khazar University's 35th anniversary, the Department of Languages and Literatures organized an academic seminar on the topic "Functionality of the Azerbaijani Language: Modern Approaches," dedicated to International Mother Language Day, on February 18, 2026. The seminar was held in a discussion format.

The moderator of the event, Head of the Department of Languages and Literatures, Assoc. Prof. Dilbar Zeynalova, spoke about the significance of International Mother Language Day and the role of the mother tongue as the cornerstone of national identity and cultural memory. She noted that holding the event within the Khazar's 35th anniversary carries special symbolic meaning. She emphasized that the Azerbaijani language is taught as a compulsory subject to all students at the university, regardless of their nationality. As an example, a video prepared by international students reciting the poem "What Is There to Live For?!" by Khazar's founder, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees, Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, was screened.

The event was attended by Prof. Nadir Mammadli, Director of the Nasimi Institute of Linguistics of ANAS; Natig Mammadli, Deputy Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and writer-journalist; and Ilgar Fahmi, Secretary for Creative Affairs of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, Honored Cultural Worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan, writer, screenwriter, and poet.

Prof. Nadir Mammadli spoke on the topic "Principles of Borrowing Words into the Language," sharing his views on the principles of word borrowing, criteria for compiling dictionaries, and the process of enriching the lexical system. Natig Mammadli addressed "Forms of the Azerbaijani Language in the Media," discussing the impact of digital platforms on language, issues of norms in media texts, and journalistic responsibility. Ilgar Fahmi spoke on "The Aesthetic and Psychological Effects of the Literary Language in the Modern Era," covering the expressive potential of literary language, the mechanisms through which poetry influences language, and reader-text relations.

This was followed by an extensive discussion, prompted by questions from students and faculty, on such issues as problems in language teaching, principles of compiling frequency dictionaries, the impact of AI on language, the current status of loanwords, language development in media, and the influence of the translation process on the literary language.

Prof. Acad. Isakhanli offered his perspective on the topic from the standpoints of linguistics, the press, and poetry, underscoring the importance of preserving and developing the mother tongue in scientific and literary domains, and extended gratitude to the guests and organizers.

The event also featured a concert by the Khazar Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Zulfiyya Sadigova, Head of the Department of Music and Fine Arts and Honored Teacher.