Professor of Azerbaijan University Asif Hajiyev participated in the International Scientific Symposium "Ahiskish Turks in the 75th Anniversary of Exile" held at Istanbul Cultural University in Turkey. At a symposium attended by experts from 13 countries, Asif Hajiyev made a report on "The Turks of Ahiska in Azerbaijan."

The information about Ahiska Turks, who were exiled from their historic homeland to Central Asia and Kazakhstan in 1944  by the Soviet Union and who had lived under the special commandant regime for 12 years, whose ten thousand compatriots died in exile, was given in the report. The report widely describes the history of the Ahiska Turks' migration to Azerbaijan since 1958, the geography of their settlements in our country, the socio-cultural aspects of the national existence as well. Asif Hajiyev, the author of a number of books and articles published in Azerbaijan and Turkey in the field of the history, ethnic culture, folklore and literature of the Ahiska Turks since the 1980s, proved with  historical evidences that the settlement of Ahiska Turks in Azerbaijan played a positive role in the fate of these people and allowed them to preserve their native languages, cultures, lifestyles, and national identities.

In his speech, it was noted that the Ahiscans were always surrounded by the attention and care of government agencies and the public in Azerbaijan, living in peace and developing their culture. It is here just in Azerbaijan, the public organizations of Ahiska Turks were  set up, writers and poets grew, music groups, amateur groups and press agencies were formed.

The report states that in 1973, by the decree of Heydar Aliyev, the natonal leader of Azerbaijan at that time, Ahlus youth began to be admitted to higher education institutions of the Republic without competition and as a result, the national education of Ahiska Turks has been enhanced in various specialties and professions.  Today Ahiska Turks are still surrounded by the care of the Azerbaijani State and President Ilham Aliyev. Ahiska Turks’ public organizations, their Writers' Union , and amateur associations operate in Azerbaijan. Ahiiskians are represented in the government agencies of Azerbaijan, in various organizations, industrial production, scientific, educational, health, cultural and other institutions. Ahiska Turks also love Azerbaijan as their homeland, work for the development of the republic and share their concerns. 81 Ahiska Turks were killed in the Karabakh war, and one was awarded the National Hero and dozens of Ahiska Turks were awarded various prizes. Asif Hajiyev, who considers the culture of Ahiska Turks as the uniting of Azerbaijani, Turkish and Georgian cultures, said that the strategic cooperation, friendship and brotherly relations between these countries will continue to be successful.

The report has attracted the attention of numerous representatives from different countries. The conference organizers awarded it with a thank-you note, and the Kazakh delegation presented its national costumes.

It should be noted that, Professor Asif Hajiyev except from lecturing on the preparation and course of the symposium, acted as a member of the scientific committee, chair of the department and spoke at the final meeting about the results of this international scientific event.

Public Relations Department
21.11.2019