By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Korea and the Office of National Assembly Member Lee Man Hee, Chairman of the Korea–Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Friendship Group, hosted a remarkable cultural event dedicated to the presentation of the Korean edition of the Azerbaijani epic Kitabi-Dada Gorgud on Nov. 17.

Held in the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, the event brought together Members of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, their staff, representatives of academic and cultural institutions, members of the diplomatic corps, media representatives, and the Azerbaijani diaspora in Korea.

Ambassador Ramin Hasanov of Azerbaijan opened the ceremony with a welcoming address. He highlighted the growing scientific and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and South Korea, emphasizing that the translation of six chapters of the epic Kitabi-Dada Gorgud into Korean – with the support of the Fund for Support to Azerbaijani Diaspora – represents yet another milestone in bilateral cultural cooperation. The diplomat, while informing about the donation of 1000 copies of the publication to libraries across Korea, noted that such projects bring the Azerbaijani and Korean peoples, who share linguistic roots and cultural affinities, closer to each other.

Speaking about the importance of the epic, Ambassador Hasanov described Kitabi-Dada Gorgud as a unique reflection of the lifestyle, values, and heroic spirit of the ancestors of the Azerbaijani people and an essential part of the cultural heritage of the Turkic world.

National Assembly Member Lee Man Hee also addressed the audience. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Korea-Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Friendship Group to deepening relations between the two countries, and added that this will be continued. He expressed confidence that the Korean-language publication of Kitabi-Dada Gorgud would serve as a valuable resource for raising awareness about Azerbaijan in Korea, and thus deepen cultural exchange between the two peoples.

Lee Man Hee thanked the Embassy of Azerbaijan and the Fund for Support to Azerbaijani Diaspora for their support in realizing the book project as well as for promoting the publication through public events.

The Executive Director of the Fund for Support to Azerbaijani Diaspora, Akram Abdullayev, who traveled to Korea for the occasion, praised the talents and active engagement of Azerbaijanis living in Korea. He noted the effective cooperation between the Fund and the Azerbaijani community in Korea, describing the newly published book as a successful outcome of this collaboration. Abdullayev also provided background information on the project, acknowledging the Azerbaijani and Korean translators and editors involved.

The event concluded with a vibrant Azerbaijani folk dance performance by an Azerbaijani student studying in Korea, followed by a reception.