Dresden Hosted International Epic Poetry Symposium

Scholars gathered in Germany to study and promote the cultural heritage of the Kitabi-Dede Gorgud epic.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Cultural

An open ancient manuscript on a dark wooden library desk, illuminated by warm sunlight in a quiet archive.
Scholars from Azerbaijan, Germany, Italy, and Türkiye gathered in Dresden for an international symposium to analyze the manuscript heritage of the Kitabi-Dede Gorgud epic. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Dresden State and University Library hosted an international scientific symposium focused on the Kitabi-Dede Gorgud epic. Experts from Azerbaijan, Germany, Türkiye, and Italy attended the event to discuss the manuscript's historical significance.

Why it matters

The symposium aimed to strengthen scientific and cultural bridges between Eastern and Western scholars. It served as a platform to promote the Dede Gorgud heritage through academic collaboration.

The event featured 2 panel sessions dedicated to manuscript heritage and comparative literary research. Participants highlighted these sessions with the official presentation of a high-quality facsimile edition of the epic.

The players

Dresden State and University Library

This is a major research library in Germany that serves as a central hub for academic collections and international scholarly exchange.

Embassy of Azerbaijan

This diplomatic mission acts as the official representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Germany and facilitates cultural partnerships.

Azerbaijan University of Languages

This is an academic institution in Baku that specializes in foreign language education and international literary research.

The details

Co-organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan University of Languages, and the Saxon State and University Library, the event facilitated high-level academic discourse. Scholars utilized the panels to analyze the epic's manuscript heritage and perform comparative research.

Timeline

  1. October 2, 2026: The international symposium took place at the Dresden State and University Library.

Industry Dynamics

This symposium reflects a broader trend of international collaborative efforts to digitize and preserve ancient manuscript heritage. Such academic gatherings mirror the standards set by the UNESCO Memory of the World Register to ensure global access to foundational cultural texts.

The introduction of a high-quality facsimile edition increases the availability of the epic for students and researchers. Academic institutions and public libraries may eventually provide digital or print access to these materials for a broader audience.

The takeaway

Collaborative academic events are essential for translating regional literary history into a global scholarly context. Readers interested in literary history can look for upcoming facsimile releases of ancient manuscripts to engage with these texts firsthand.

Further reading

For more on global preservation efforts, visit the Cultural section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Azertag.