Khazar University, the first English-language private university in Azerbaijan, has paid special attention to the promotion of the Azerbaijani language, literature, and arts since the very first day of its establishment. Since the years of independence, the University—playing an exceptional role in the modernization of the country’s education system—has organized scientific symposiums, conferences, and seminars dedicated to significant issues in science, education, culture, and the arts, with the participation of renowned scholars and intellectuals from around the world.
One of the key priorities defined by the Azerbaijani state is language and literature policy. National leader Heydar Aliyev called upon our compatriots to speak and learn their native language and repeatedly emphasized the irreplaceable role of literature in the life of the people and the nation, highlighting the profound influence of artistic expression on society and the national consciousness. He also stressed that this heritage is something of which we should be proud. Beginning from the years of independence, the state’s language and literature policy has been consistently and systematically continued to this day under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. The presidential decree issued in 2004 on conducting mass publications in the Latin alphabet stands as one of the most cultured and progressive developments of the new era.
The teaching and promotion of the Azerbaijani language at the international level has now entered a new stage of development. It is particularly encouraging that during the 9th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Samarkand on November 11, 2022, President Ilham Aliyev once again drew attention in his speech to the role and prestige of the Azerbaijani language in the international arena, emphasizing the importance of its teaching and promotion worldwide. The President’s statement that the geographical boundaries of the Turkic world extend far beyond the existing independent Turkic states—and that the greater Turkic world is not limited solely to them—should be regarded as an important historical development.
The First International Scientific Symposium titled “Studies of the Azerbaijani Language and Literature in the Turkic World” holds particular significance in terms of researching the linguistic and literary issues of Azerbaijanis, who constitute a part of the culture of Turkic peoples living across a vast geographical area stretching from the Pacific basin to the Balkan Peninsula. The aim of the symposium is to draw attention to the linguistic and literary issues of Azerbaijanis who live in a geopolitical position between the Eastern and Western Turkic worlds; to review linguistic research related to the field within the Turkic world; to examine the study of the works of literary figures; and to strengthen communication among intellectuals and researchers across the Turkic world.
We believe that the scientific symposium “Studies of the Azerbaijani Language and Literature in the Turkic World” will serve as a bridge between Eastern and Western Turkic communities and will make a significant contribution to the international study and promotion of the Azerbaijani language and literature. We also hope that the symposium will evolve into an annual scholarly gathering that brings together distinguished academics to discuss key issues related to language and literature.
