NEWS

The International Forum “Dialogue of Cultures in a Changing World” was held at AUL.

05 december, 2024

The international forum “Dialogue of Cultures in a Changing World” has started its work within the walls of the Azerbaijan University of Languages. The forum brings together specialists from Russia and Azerbaijan in the field of international relations, cultural studies, journalism, pedagogy and literary criticism. The Azerbaijan University of Languages, Voronezh State University, the Russian World Foundation and the Russian House in Baku took part in the organization of this significant cultural and educational project. During the opening ceremony the participants and guests were addressed by Academician, Rector of the Azerbaijan University of Languages ​​Kamal Abdulla; Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Evdokimov; Deputy of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Committee on Culture Polad Bulbul ogly; Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Director of the Institute of Europe RAS Alexey Gromyko, Doctor of Law, Professor, Head of the Department of Integration Law and human rights of MGIMO MFA of Russia, Mark Entin; deputy of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sevinj Fatalieva; head of the Russian House in Baku Irek Zinnurov; vice-rector of Voronezh State University Yuri Bubnov.

Having welcomed the guests, the rector of the Azerbaijan University of Languages, academician Kamal Abdulla, underlined in his speech the importance of holding such events: “We are pleased to hold our joint conference today. We hope that it will be permanent and we will meet often and enrich each other. Today we need such bilateral, consultative, scientific communication. Our conference has scientific and intellectual value. I think, that this kind of event also helps bring together scientists from different universities. In addition to Azerbaijani universities, today St. Petersburg, Tomsk, Voronezh universities, institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences are represented here, and many scientists are present. Both for students and for our young professionals. This communication will give a lot both for students and for our young professionals in their future endeavors”.

Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Evdokimov noted that the topic “Dialogue of Cultures in a Changing World” shows the importance and complexity of this topic. “The world is changing, the Internet has appeared and is accelerating, and life itself is accelerating as well. There was a discussion in our country about whether it is necessary to devote so much time to studying history and culture. But no state, no person can successfully develop and work without knowing their roots, their culture, their native language. And we see with great satisfaction that in Azerbaijan the topic of national culture and history is treated very carefully. Therefore, it is very good that we are meeting here and such a serious event will take place today, because through mutual penetration and knowledge of the culture of the two states, we will begin to understand each other better. And you, current students, and in the future - people who will determine the policies of their states and our bilateral relations, will understand each other better, speaking common languages ​​- both Azerbaijani and Russian,” the ambassador noted.

Chairman of the Supreme Milli Majlis for Culture, deputy Polad Bulbul oglu drew the guests’ attention to what measures support the Russian language in Azerbaijan: “I am convinced, that not a single considering himself cultured person in the world can ignore the fact, that Russian culture gave great poets, composers, artists to the world, and made a huge contribution to the development of universal human culture. 18 years ago I was the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia, and during this time a lot of events happened - both medical and cultural. The relations between our two countries are currently at the highest level and they come from the high level relations between our presidents - Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin. And it’s encouraging, that today, at the highest level, the relations continue to grow.”

Director of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Alexey Gromyko, stressed the importance of holding the event within the walls of the University of Languages. “We are in a university, where languages are taught. Language ​​is not just set of symbols and letters, but also a great asset of a human civilization. Any language is a huge world, and each of us, first of all, must brilliantly know the language of our civilization, country, and ancestors. And only then we can be considered true patriots of our country. But if we know the languages ​​of other countries, other peoples, the richer we become and the better we know this world,” Gromyko concluded.

It should be noted that the international forum is being held with the support of the Russkiy Mir Foundation, the Azerbaijan University of Languages, the Russian House in Baku and Voronezh State University. Within five days “Dialogue of culture in nine geopolitical challenges”, “The Pushkin phenomenon and the new culture of the world”, “Educational cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan: challenges and prospects”, “Current problems of international relations: a view from Russia, a view from Azerbaijan” round tables will be held , and “Current reading of Russian classics” advanced training course, and master class for teachers and students of English language philology of the Azerbaijan University of Languages will also take place.

And the forum will culminate with “The Magic of Russian Fairy Tales with Ded Moroz of Chernozemye” festive event, where children can get acquainted with Russian folk traditions and receive gifts from the main wizard of Chernozemye.