The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has commenced another project in the direction of promoting Turkic culture in the world. As part of the project, the Foundation has published a book by the Manas scholar, prominent poet Adil Jamil “The Manas Epic and the Turkic Epic Tradition” in Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz languages.
The work, consisting of three chapters, examines such topical literary issues as Manaschi and Manas scholars in the context of the common Turkic literary and historical heritage, as well as the common motives of the Turkic epic and “Manas”. The book, published by the “Parlaq İmzalar” publishing house, is the first monograph in Azerbaijan devoted to the study of the epic ”Manas”. The publication of the book was carried out as part of the cooperation of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation with the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan in Azerbaijan.
The author of the idea of the project and its foreword is President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva. Touching on about the role played by the bilingual publication in the Turkic history and science, Gunay Afandiyeva stressed that the publication is of particular importance in terms of preserving Turkic cultural values and spiritual wealth. “In modern times, the scientific study of the ancient epics, which are the essence of the language and literature of the Turkic people, gives impetus to the process of self-consciousness of the Turks. From this point of view, I am sure that this book, which is in line with requirements of today, will have an impact on making readers even more familiar with our ancient national values.”
The scientific editor of the work in the Azerbaijani language is Prof. Elmaddin Alibeyzade, the advisor is Academician Nizami Jafarov. The translator of the publication into the Kyrgyz language is Mukan Asanaliev, the scientific editor is Abdyldajan Akhmataliyev. The publication also includes illustrations dedicated to the epic “Manas” made by Theodore Hertsen.