On May 14, 2026, a scientific seminar titled “The First Turkological Congress – 100 Years: Common Scientific Heritage, Linguistic Unity, and Contemporary Challenges of Turkic Peoples” was held at Mingachevir State University. The event, organized at the Heydar Aliyev Museum located in the university’s second academic building, was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress.

The seminar was organized in accordance with the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress. It was noted during the event that the First Turkological Congress, held in Baku in 1926, is one of the landmark historical events that played a significant role in shaping the scientific, cultural, and spiritual unity of Turkic peoples. The congress was of great importance in terms of the development of Turkic languages, alphabet reform, preservation of shared cultural values, and the expansion of scientific cooperation among Turkic nations.

Opening the seminar with an introductory speech, Head of the Department of Humanities at MSU, Associate Professor Esmira Jafarova подчеркнула the special place of the First Turkological Congress in the collective memory of the Turkic world. It was emphasized that the presidential order signed by Ilham Aliyev reflects the high value placed on Turkological heritage and contributes to strengthening scientific and cultural ties among Turkic peoples.

At the seminar, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Pedagogy at MSU, Doctor of Philology, Professor Flora Namazova delivered a presentation titled “The Path Beginning in Baku: The Impact of the First Turkological Congress on the Future of the Turkic World,” highlighting the congress’s contributions to the formation of a shared scientific perspective among Turkic peoples.

Associate Professor of the Department of Humanities at MSU, PhD in Philology Namaz Manafov, spoke on “The First Turkological Congress and Azerbaijan’s Role as an Intellectual Center in the Turkic World,” emphasizing that Azerbaijan has historically been one of the key centers of Turkological thought.

Later, Lecturer and doctoral candidate Leyla Babayeva presented a report titled “The Unforgotten Congress: Messages of the 1926 Baku Meeting After 100 Years,” analyzing the enduring relevance of the congress’s ideas in the modern era.

Honored Teacher and lecturer of the Department of Humanities Konul Aydin addressed the topic “A Century-Long Idea: The Turkological Congress and the Concept of Shared Identity,” focusing on issues of common identity and spiritual unity among Turkic peoples.

Senior Lecturer of the Department of Humanities, PhD in Philology Parvin Huseynova also delivered a presentation on “Participants of the 1926 Baku Congress and Their Scientific Legacy,” providing detailed information on the contributions of the congress participants to the development of Turkological science.

Following the presentations, discussions were held around the topic, and participants shared their views and suggestions. Speakers emphasized that the ideas of the First Turkological Congress continue to play an important role today in advancing scientific, cultural, and spiritual cooperation across the Turkic world. Participants also noted the significance of preserving and passing on the congress’s legacy to future generations.

At the conclusion of the event, it was highlighted that commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress makes a substantial contribution to the development of Turkological studies, the promotion of shared cultural heritage, and the strengthening of integration among Turkic peoples.