Speech by Ilham Aliyeva at the opening of Dada Gorgud Park in Baku

- Dear ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

Today is a very remarkable day. We have gathered to unveil a monument to Dada Gorgud in Baku. I sincerely congratulate all of you on this occasion.

The construction of this monument is a great event. Kitabi Dada Gorgud is a national treasure of the Azerbaijani people. This work reflects the way of life, lifestyle and psychology of the Azerbaijani people in the past. The names of the characters of the work can be found in numerous localities of Azerbaijan. This work reflects Azerbaijani toponyms. In short, the epic "Kitabi Dada Gorgud" is a written monument of Azerbaijani folk literature. This epic is dear to every Azerbaijani. The construction of this monument today is another manifestation of the attitude of the Azerbaijani people to their historical past and culture.

As you know, until the 1950s "Kitabi Dada Gorgud" was banned in the Soviet Union. But after the 1950s, thanks to the efforts of Azerbaijani scientists, they began to research this work. It is no accident that the scientific papers on the study of this work belong to Azerbaijani scientists. This once again proves that this work belongs to our people and the entire Turkic world. But in Azerbaijan, there is a special attitude to the epic "Kitabi Dada Gorgud". Such a geographical concept in the work as the land of the Oguz covers all Azerbaijani territory. In the 1970-1980s, at the recommendation of the great leader Heydar Aliyev, concrete decisions were made to promote the work and inform the Soviet and world public about it. At the recommendation of the great leader, a movie was made in the 1970s. Later, in the period of independence - in 1993-2003 – a lot was done to inform the world about the epic.

In 2000, the 1,300th anniversary of the epic was marked in Baku. With the participation of heads of state of all the Turkic-speaking countries and the UNESCO director-general, a large ceremony was held. The Dada Gorgud encyclopedia was published. The great leader Heydar Aliyev issued an order to erect a monument to Dada Gorgud. That is to say it once again proves that Dada Gorgud always lived, lives and will live in the heart of the Azerbaijani people. The epic "Kitabi Dada Gorgud" at the same time unites the entire Turkic world more closely. Azerbaijan is making every effort for even closer unity between Turkic states. It is an integral part and one of the main spheres of our foreign policy. Clear evidence of this is the summits of heads of Turkic-speaking countries held in Azerbaijan. Held in Baku, Nakhchivan and Gabala, these summits unite the Turkic world more closely. At the last summit, I noted, and I want to say it again, that the 21st century will be a century of the Turkic world.

The development, mutual cooperation and positive demographic dynamics taking place in the Turkic world, of course, will make us even stronger, and through the cooperation of all the Turkic states and their mutual support, each state will be able to protect its national interests to an even greater extent.

Our countries, of course, are united by political interests and cooperation in the economic sphere. But at the heart of our cooperation are common history and historical roots, and the dastan "Kitabi Dada Gorgud" plays a huge role here. Therefore, I believe that the current ceremony will cause wonderful repercussions throughout the Turkic world.

Simultaneously, today we celebrate the opening of a wonderful park - Dada Gorgud Park. We all probably remember very well that this area was in an extremely poor condition. There was a need to carry out large improvement work here. The territory of the park was expanded and a wonderful artificial lake was created. The lake area is three hectares. Walking lanes were created here. That is to say the park is being handed over to the residents of Baku, and I am sure it will become another lovely recreational area. I also want to note that by the order of the great leader, it was planned to erect the monument to Dada Gorgud in this park. Staying true to the policy of the great leader, we just finished this job. I am very glad that this wonderful park and monument is opening today.

Baku has already become a city of parks and gardens. Baku has become one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and our activities in this area will gradually expand. We have plans to create new recreational zones in Baku. Some of them are being implemented, and some have already been implemented.

Baku is a unique city, and not only for its beauty but also because there are several centres in Baku. Usually in cities, even in major cities, there are one or two centres, and in Baku there are several centres.

Icharishahar is the centre of Baku. Freedom Square and the boulevard are the city centre. The new boulevard, the White City Boulevard, which is being built, and the Heydar Aliyev Centre have turned into the city centre. The new parks created behind and in front of the Heydar Aliyev Palace - their length exceeds one kilometre – have become a centre. That is to say it is a feature of our city. Of course, on the one hand, the opening of the park will create new opportunities for people to rest, and on the other, it will serve to improve this part of the city. Henceforth, we will do more to ensure that our beautiful city becomes even more beautiful.

I would also like to note that today Azerbaijan has turned into one of the political and economic centres worldwide. The holding of numerous high-level events, summits, economic forums, the world’s economic forum number one - the Davos Forum - in Azerbaijan, of course, serves to present our country as a political and economic centre.

At the same time, Azerbaijan has become one of the world’s humanitarian centres today. Humanitarian forums, the two meetings of the Forum on Intercultural Dialogue and other events held in our country have already presented Azerbaijan as the world’s humanitarian centre. Our role in this area will gradually increase, because in the modern globalized world full of contradictions and conflicts, the importance of humanitarian cooperation must grow. Azerbaijan not only acts as a host of events in this area, but also shares its experience, presents its own realities and proves that cooperation in the humanitarian sphere is not limited only to the humanitarian sphere. Cooperation in the humanitarian sphere positively affects and should affect the political processes taking place in the world. Azerbaijan’s political concept is built on this basis - from cooperation to the ensuring of interests, from mutual assistance to even deeper cooperation. I want to reiterate that our policy in this area is not limited to humanitarian issues.

In essence, the whole world is built on a humanitarian basis. I want to say once again that humanitarian cooperation in the modern globalized world facing great difficulties is of paramount importance. Therefore, I believe that the attention paid to the sphere of culture and state policies are necessary and important for our nation and the world. Azerbaijani society lives, if I may say so, a very rich cultural life. Numerous cultural events, festivals and competitions held in our country - in Baku and regions - have become a tradition. Guests visiting Azerbaijan represent the world's elite in the field of art and culture, and they become acquainted with our country, leaving it with wonderful impressions. And it plays a role in the popularization of Azerbaijan in the world. Simultaneously, days of Azerbaijan held abroad, in the leading countries of the world, once again inform the world community about our rich culture. Centres of Azerbaijani culture opening in leading cities of the world play their own role. The holding of Azerbaijani exhibitions overseas has become commonplace. That is to say I think that Azerbaijan has made great strides in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, and great attention should always be paid to this area so that our society lives a normal, healthy life. I am glad that the policy of Heydar Aliyev continues in our country and in this area. I am convinced that in the future we can do more in this area.

Dear friends, I want to once again congratulate you on this wonderful event. In Baku there is Dada Gorgud Park and a monument to Dada Gorgud. After a few minutes, we will celebrate the opening of this monument together.

I wish every citizen of Azerbaijan peace, tranquility and happiness. Thank you.