The Nine Senses Art Center hosted a roundtable discussion titled "Gobustan as a Sacred Code of Humanity" as part of the research project "Codes of Gobustan."
According to Report, the event, supported by AZBRAND, brought together leading experts in archaeology, art history, ecology, and history to explore the phenomenon of the ancient Gobustan civilization.
Natalia Zhukova, director of the Nine Senses Art Center, moderated the roundtable and introduced the concept of the "Codes of Gobustan" exhibition. She emphasized that the aim of the discussion was to examine two approaches to studying Gobustan's ancient heritage: scientific and esoteric.
"We want to remind everyone that Gobustan is a unique place of power where human civilization could have originated," Zhukova noted.
During the event, Tarlan Manafov, the shaman of Gobustan, announced the establishment of the Center for Sacred Azerbaijan. Sabit Jojulu, a local historian and leader of the "Artifact Hunters" initiative group, delivered a report titled "The Turkic Cultural Heritage of Gobustan." He stressed the importance of preserving Turkic symbols and tamgas, which could be included in the list of protected objects and popularized through tourist routes.
The roundtable also featured the presentation of the artistic diorama "Gobustan-3029," created by talented photographer and director Ilkin Zafarli. This unique work offers a glimpse into Gobustan's distant future.
A significant achievement of the event was the signing of the Final Declaration of Intent, "Codes of Gobustan - Path to the Future of Azerbaijan." The document reflects the desire of scientists, researchers, and representatives of creative professions to join forces in promoting Azerbaijan's unique cultural heritage on the global stage. Among the signatories are historians, anthropologists, ethnographers, creative professionals, and spiritual leaders, including renowned researchers such as Sabit Jojulu, Tarlan Manafov, and Aliheydar Mammadov. They are united by a common goal: to preserve Gobustan's heritage for future generations.
In conclusion, participants emphasized that preserving and studying sacred heritage is not only a duty to history but also a path to understanding one's place in the modern world.