Conference marks 100th anniversary of First Turkological Congress in Karabakh

A conference titled "Scientific and Cultural Legacy of the First Turkological Congress" was held at Karabakh University as part of the Turkic World Week, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress, Report informs.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Karabakh University Rector Shahin Bayramov said in his opening remarks that one of the university's key goals is to contribute to expanding cooperation with scientific and educational institutions representing the Turkic world.

Deputy Minister of Culture Farid Jafarov noted that President Ilham Aliyev's decree on marking the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress reflects Azerbaijan's long-standing contribution to strengthening Turkic unity.

He emphasized that culture is one of the most important unifying factors in interstate relations, and cooperation in this field serves the integration of the Turkic world.

The deputy minister also highlighted that large-scale reconstruction and development projects are being implemented in Karabakh, focusing not only on infrastructure but also on preserving historical, cultural, and spiritual heritage.

The conference continued with a panel session moderated by Associate Professor Elchin Ibrahimov, Head of the Science Department at Karabakh University.

Speakers included Mehmet Rza Heyat from Ankara University, Azar Turan, Editor-in-Chief of Literature Newspaper, Professor Solmaz Rustamova-Tohidi from the Institute of Oriental Studies of ANAS, and Professor Ismat Zaatov from the Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences.

They discussed the historical role of the First Turkological Congress in the scientific and cultural integration of the Turkic world, the development of a common linguistic and literary space, and the importance of revisiting this legacy through modern academic approaches. The expansion of academic and cultural ties among Turkic states was also emphasized.

At the end of the conference, a group of scholars and experts from Azerbaijan and other countries were awarded the commemorative medal "100th Anniversary of the First Turkological Congress (1926–2026)" established by the Ministry of Culture.