Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijani delegation has participated in the V International Symposium on folk culture "Koroglu", held at the Abant Izzet Baysal University in Bolu, Turkey.

The event gathered together prominent public figures, representatives of culture, arts and science from different countries.

The aim of the symposium is to develop friendly relations between the Turkic states and raising public awareness of Turkic peoples about their culture.

Opening the event, the University Rector, Professor Khairy Joshgun stressed the importance of the event to promote the history and culture of the Turkic world, and noted that it as an important tool in educating the younger generation in a spirit of courage and patriotism.

Head of the Azerbaijani delegation, member of the Azerbaijan-Turkey Interparliamentary Friendship Group Ganira Pashayeva stressed that merits of Koroglu have been living in the memory of the Azerbaijani people.

"The image of Koroglu has gathered all the excellent characteristic features of the Azerbaijani such as patriotism, courage, justice, fortitude and courage. He was a man of the people and lived for the people, was a great leader, and therefore an Ashug [folk singer].

"Back in the 30s, the great Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli wrote the opera Koroglu. This is the only opera dedicated to Koroglu which is with great success demonstrated on the world stage to this day. Monuments of Koroglu are created in various cities of our country, some parks are named after him, books are written, documentaries and feature films shot about him," Pashayeva stressed.

Speakers also noted that holding the symposium is a clear evidence of respect and reverence for historical figures of to the past. They also expressed a wish to publish new literature works and offered to shoot a new collaborative feature film about the glorious way of Koroglu.

Bolu city has also a monument of Koroglu, Koroglu TV, street, squares and hotels. The city is also hosting the International Festival Koroglu.

The international symposium was first held in 1987.

The national Koroglu epos, widespread in Azerbaijan, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Turkey, and Iran, are heroic legends that feature prominently in the oral traditions of the Turkic nations.

The legend describes a hero who seeks to avenge the wronged people. It was often musical, played in sports events in order to inspire the competing athletes.

Koroglu is the epic's leading hero with the same name in Azerbaijani and Turkish as well as some other Turkic languages.

The epic tells the life and heroic deeds of Koroglu as people's hero, a man who fought against unjust rulers in the 16-17th centuries.

There are different versions of Koroglu epic in a number of Turkic languages and it is common in several different cultures.

The story has been told for generations by the ashugs of Azerbaijan and Turkey.