Bibigul Nuspizhanova, Rector of the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography, visited Baku, Azerbaijan on a working trip from September 21 to 24. During her visit, she delivered a report titled “The Role and Influence of Turkic Cultural Figures in the Formation of National Stage Schools” at the Round Table discussion, “Turkic Heritage on the World Stage: On the 100th Anniversary of the World Expo in Paris.”

On September 23, she took part in the International Scientific Symposium titled “From Ashig Alesker to Uzeyir Hajibeyli: Cultural Codes of the Turkic World,” dedicated to the 140th anniversary of the great composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli. The event was organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, and the Azerbaijan National Conservatory.

The symposium aimed to examine the legacy of the great composer and ashig art (a syncretic, multifaceted art form of the Azerbaijani people, based on oral transmission of traditions and including poetry, music (playing the saz), vocal, and dance skills of the ashig performer — editor’s note) from the perspective of common Turkic cultural codes and to trace their role in shaping national and spiritual identity.

During the sessions, issues were discussed concerning the shared musical memory of Turkic peoples, traditions of ashig art, the influence of classical literature, and specifically, the role of Uzeyir Hajibeyli in the creation of national cultural codes.

On September 24, she was invited to the 6th meeting of the “Central Asia+” Rectors’ Club, on the topic “Branding Universities of Eurasia: Balancing Identity and Global Ambitions.” This event is of great importance for the Academy, as cooperation with foreign universities opens new prospects such as:

• Expanding horizons;
• Developing joint projects;
• Strengthening academic reputation on the international stage.

The outcome of the Rector’s working visit to Baku included intentions to establish cooperation with leading educational institutions worldwide.