Ilham Aliyev attends the opening of Dada Gorgud Park in Baku

The monument to Kitabi-Dada Gorgud in Narimanov district of Baku was unveiled on December 13, SIA reports citing the official website of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony.

After viewing the conditions in a park here, President Ilham Aliyev met famous scientific, educational and cultural figures who also attended the ceremony.

The Head of the State delivered a speech to the ceremony.

"Ladies and gentlemen!

Dear friends!

Today is a very significant day. We have gathered here for opening of a monument to Kitabi-Dada Gorgud in Baku. I 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. It reflects lifestyle, psychology of the Azerbaijani people in the past. The names of heroes of this epic can be found in numerous localities across Azerbaijan. It reflects Azerbaijani toponyms. In short, the epic "Kitabi-Dada Gorgud " is a written monument of Azerbaijani folk literature. This epic is precious for every Azerbaijani. The construction of this monument today is another manifestation of the attitude of the Azerbaijani people to their historical past, their culture.

As you know, prior to the 1950s, "Kitabi-Dada Gorgud" was banned in the Soviet Union. But after the 1950s, this epic was studied by Azerbaijani scholars. It is no coincidence that the scientific papers on study of this work belong to Azerbaijani scholars. This once again proves that this work belongs to our people, the entire Turkic world. But there is a special attitude to the epic "Kitabi-Dada Gorgud" in Azerbaijan. A geographical concept here like the Oguz land covers the entire Azerbaijani territory. In 1970-1980s, specific steps were taken to promote the epic in Soviet area and internationally on the recommendation of great leader Heydar Aliyev. A feature film was shot on the recommendation of a great leader in the 1970s. Great work was carried out to popularize epic in the world community also in the period of independence - in 1993-2003.

The 1300th anniversary of the epic was solemnly marked in Baku in a ceremony attended by heads of state of all the Turkic-speaking countries and UNESCO Director General. An encyclopedia of Kitabi-Dada Gorgud was published.

Great leader Heydar Aliyev issued an order to erect a monument to Dada Gorgud. That is, it once again proves that Gorgud has lived, lives and will live in hearts of the Azerbaijani people. The Epos "Kitabi-Dada Gorgud" at the same time more closely unites the entire Turkic world. Azerbaijan is making every effort to achieve even closer unity of Turkic states. It is an integral part of one of the main directions of our foreign policy. A clear proof of this is summits of Turkic-speaking countries held in Azerbaijan. Summits held in Baku, Nakhchivan and Gabala more closely unite the Turkic world. I said and want to say again that the twenty-first century will be the century of the Turkic world.

The current development in the Turkic world, mutual cooperation, positive demographic dynamics, of course, will make us even stronger, each state through the cooperation of all the Turkic states, their mutual support will be able to protect their national interests even better.

Our countries, of course, are linked by political interests and cooperation in the economic sphere. A common history, historical roots stand at the heart of our cooperation, including a huge role which "Kitabi-Dada Gorgud" plays. Therefore, I believe that the current ceremony will cause a positive attitude throughout the Turkic world.

Simultaneously, today we celebrate the opening of a wonderful park - Dada Gorgud Park. All of us probably remember well that this area was in extremely poor condition. There was a need to conduct a large improvement work. The territory of the park has been enlarged and a wonderful artificial lake has been created.

The lake area is three acres. Walking strips have also been created here. That is, the park is now at a disposal of Baku residents and I'm sure it will be another favorite recreation area. I would also note that the monument to Kitabi-Dada Gorgud was planned to be built in this park at the Order of the great leader. Staying true to the policy of the great leader, we just finished the job. I am very glad this wonderful park and monument open today.

Baku has become a city of parks, gardens. Baku has become one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and our activities in this area will be gradually expanded. We have plans to create new recreation zones in Baku. Part of them is being implemented while some have already been done.

Baku is a unique city. And not only for its beauty but also because there are several downtowns in Baku. Usually, there is one or two downtowns in the cities, even big cities, but there are several downtowns in Baku.

The Old City is also Baku downtown. Liberty Square, Boulevard are also city centers. New boulevard, White City Boulevard which is under construction, Heydar Aliyev Center have also turned into the city center. New parks created in front of and behind the Heydar Aliyev Palace, the length of which exceed one kilometer, have also become the center. That is, it is a feature of our city. Of course, the opening of new park, on the one hand, create new opportunities for the people to rest, and on the other, this will make the city more beautiful. Henceforth, we will do more to ensure that our beautiful city has become even more beautiful.

I would also like to note that today Azerbaijan has turned into one of the political and economic centers worldwide. Numerous high-level events, summits, economic forums and economic forum number one all over the world - the Davos Forum held in our country, of course, serve recognition of our country as a political and economic center.

Moreover, Azerbaijan has today become one of the humanitarian centers of the world. Humanitarian forums, two meetings of the Forum on Intercultural Dialogue and other events held in our country already represented Azerbaijan as a humanitarian center in the world. Our role in this area will gradually increase as the value of humanitarian cooperation must grow in today's globalized world which is full of contradictions and conflicts. Azerbaijan not only acts as a host of events in this area, but also shares its experiences, tells of its own realities and proves that cooperation in the humanitarian sphere is not limited to only one humanitarian sphere. Cooperation in the humanitarian sphere should positively influence ongoing political processes. Azerbaijani political concept is built on this basis - from cooperation to 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 fact, 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 to culture and public policies are necessary and important for our nation and the world. Azerbaijani society pursues, if I may say so, a very rich cultural life. Numerous cultural events, festivals, contests conducted in our country - in Baku and regions - have already become a tradition. Guests visiting Azerbaijan represent the world's elite in the field of art and culture, they become acquainted with our country and leave it with wonderful impressions. And it plays a role in popularization of Azerbaijan around the world. Simultaneously, days of Azerbaijan held abroad and in leading countries of the world once again bring our rich culture to the world community. Azerbaijani culture centers that open in leading cities around the world also play a role. Azerbaijani exhibitions abroad have become commonplace. That is, I think that Azerbaijan has made great strides in cultural, humanitarian fields, and it needs to pay more attention to this area constantly in order to ensure our society leads a normal, healthy life. I am very glad that Heydar Aliyev's policy in this country and in this field continues. I am convinced that we can do more in this area in the future.

Dear friends, I want to once again congratulate you on this wonderful event. In Baku we already have Dada Gorgud Park and a monument to Dada Gorgud. We will mark the opening of this monument a few minutes later.

I wish peace, stability and happiness to every citizen of Azerbaijan."