Dresden hosts international scientific symposium on epic "Kitabi-Dede Gorgud"
Berlin, October 3, AZERTAC
An international scientific symposium titled "Kitabi-Dede Gorgud (Book of Dede Gorgud) in the context of the cultural heritage of Turkic peoples and world epics" was held in the German city of Dresden on October 2.
The event was co-organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Germany, the Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL), and the Saxon State and University Library Dresden (SLUB), with support from the embassy and the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Berlin.
Held at the Dresden State and University Library, the symposium brought together prominent scholars, researchers, and cultural experts from Azerbaijan, Germany, Türkiye, and Italy, as well as members the Azerbaijani diaspora.
In her opening remarks, Katrin Stump, Director General of the Dresden State and University Library, emphasized that the symposium sheds light on the latest scientific results as a continuation of researching the epic "Kitabi-Dede Gorgud" through historical, philological, and cultural aspects. She hailed the close and fruitful partnership with the Azerbaijani Embassy and the Azerbaijan University of Languages in studying this unique heritage.
Marzena Schöne, representative of the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism, described the digitization of the Dresden manuscript as an exemplary step in passing ancient knowledge down to future generations.
Addressing the event, Nasimi Aghayev, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Germany, mentioned that cultural heritage not only preserves the past but also builds strong bridges between nations today. The diplomat underlined that the utmost care dedicated to preserving this spiritual treasure in Dresden imparts special cultural significance to Azerbaijan-Germany relations.
The ambassador underscored that by bringing together scholars from various countries across borders into a single venue, this manuscript further deepens the spirit of international understanding and unity through culture and science.
Rector of the Azerbaijan University of Languages, Academician Kamal Abdulla, highlighted the humanistic attitude of German Oriental studies toward Eastern culture, commending the preservation of this encyclopedic monument in Dresden with great care and devotion.
Following the speeches, the event featured the presentation of a high-quality facsimile edition of the epic“Kitabi-Dede Gorgud”, which will unlock new avenues for heritage research.
The symposium continued its work with panel sessions.
The first panel session, titled “Dede Gorgud epic: Manuscript heritage, historical memory, and the culture of Turkic peoples," was moderated by Professor Eva-Maria Auch of Humboldt University. Speakers included Academician Kamal Abdulla, Director of Ataturk Center, Academician Nizami Jafarov, Head of the Department of Azerbaijani Literature at AUL, Academician Mukhtar Imanov, and Professor Cihangir Kızılözen of Türkiye's Gümüşhane University.
Moderated by Professor Michael Hess, the second panel session on the theme "Dede Gorgud and the world's epic heritage: Comparative approaches and new research perspectives" focused on the structural and semantic similarities between the epic "Dede Gorgud" and European and world literature. The panel featured Chairman of the Turkish Language and System Foundation Burak Eke, Professor Klaus Wolf of Augsburg University, Head of the Department at the Baku State University, Professor Jalil Naghiyev, and Professor Mario Soldaini of Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
The symposium, which highlighted the importance of studying and promoting the Dede Gorgud heritage, served as another significant contribution to strengthening cultural and scientific bridges between Eastern and Western scholars.
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