On November 27-28, 2023, Khazar University hosted a scientific symposium commemorating the 150th anniversary of Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s birth. The event, organized by Khazar University, TİKA (Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, TURKSOY (International Organization of Turkish Culture), Ankara University of Social Sciences and Writers Union of Türkiye) paid tribute to the martyrs in a solemn moment. The video presentation of “The Black Sea was fluttering” was a notable part of the symposium.
Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, founder of Khazar University and chairman of its Board of Directors and Trustees, Prof.Dr. Musa Kazim Arican, chairman of the Turkish Writers’ Union, rector of Ankara Social Sciences University, Fazil Mustafa, MP, Assoc. Prof. Irada Khalilova, rector of Khazar University, Javid Movsumlu from TURKSOY Secretariat, Fatih Yilmaz, Tika coordinator delivered opening speeches at the opening ceremony. The speeches highlighted Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s significant role in bolstering the moral front during the national struggle of the Turkish people, the acceptance of his “Independence March” as the Turkish National Anthem, and his contributions as a deputy.
The symposium’s first day concluded with a speech by Mehmet Doghan from the Writers’ Union of Türkiye titled “The great poet who exceeded the era, the man of thought and struggle.”
In the end, Prof.Dr. Musa Kazım Arican presented a gift to Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, Fazil Mustafa, Irade Khalilova and Alovsat Amirbeyli, director of Public Relations and Media of Khazar University.
On November 28, the symposium continued its work with reports from scientists and specialists from Azerbaijan and Türkiye – Dr. Mehmet Doghan, Prof. Badirkhan Ahmadov, Prof.Dr. Fazil Gokchek, Prof.Dr. Zeki Tashtan, Prof.Dr. Ergun Yıldım, Prof.Dr. Ismail Gulech, Prof.Dr. Ridvan Janım, Prof.Dr. Bilal Kemikli, Prof.Dr. Turan Karatash, Prof.Dr. Janer Arabajı, Asso.Prof.Dilbar Zeynalova, Assoc.Dr. Muhammad Enes Kala, Dr. Sohrab Mustafayev, Dr. Nazif Ozturk, Dr. Hayrettin Guler, Sayman Aruz, Mustafa Ozchelik, Ali Tokmak and Mehmet Kurtoghlu’s on the life and work of Mehmet Akif Ersoy
That evening, a concert program was presented to the participants of the symposium at the Fikret Amirov Conference-Concert Center on the Central campus of Khazar University. Samples of Azerbaijani, Turkish and world music were played and dances were performed with the participation of the Khazar University Chamber Orchestra (artistic director, head of the Khazar University Music and Art Department, honored teacher, well-known pianist Zulfiya Sadigova), the university’s Girls’ Dance Ensemble and soloists.
