By Trend.az
The Nizami Ganjavi Scientific Center of Azerbaijan and Caucasian Studies at the University of Oxford held the first scientific and practical conference entitled 'The Eastern Caucasus from Late Antiquity to Early Islam' with the Oriental Institute of Oxford and the Oxford Center of Late Antiquity on June 6. Scientists and specialists of the other British universities with Middle East and Caucasus departments and leading European universities took part in the conference.
Professor Robert Hoyland and Professor Nargiz Pashayeva of the Nizami Ganjavi Center greeted the attendees of the conference, noting their interest in the first event of the Center. Professor Hoyland informed the attendees about the history of the Center, emphasizing Professor Nargiz Pashayeva's contribution.
Nargiz Pashayeva greeted the attendees of the scientific conference and expressed satisfaction with the event. Nargiz Pashayeva said: 'For several years now, my profession has started a new stage, and it is the creation of the Nizami Ganjavi Center, formed collectively with the University of Oxford, it has an official status and is perceived as a part of the university.' Then, Nargiz Pashayeva stressed the complicated history of Azerbaijani science in the 20th century. She put special emphasis on the fact that Azerbaijani scientists have made major achievements despite the serious pressure on humanitarian sciences from the Soviet ideology. However, the artificial obstacles created by the Soviet ideology against our scientists studying, in particular, Turkology, ethnogenesis, national and cultural identity, the rich history of Azerbaijan, hindered their progress towards a new level of world science. Moreover, theoretical books with scientific value were not translated into European languages. Emphasizing that many issues associated with the rich history and culture of Azerbaijan are subjects of special interest for the world scientific community, Nargiz Pashayeva said: 'I hope that we will find answers to all the questions of the world community about Azerbaijan and the region it is located in with the help of the Nizami Ganjavi Center at the University of Oxford.'
Dr. James Howard-Johnston of Corpus Christi College Oxford, an avid British specialist of Byzantine history, took the floor after Nargiz Pashayeva. Noting that Azerbaijan and the Caucasus had not been studied thoroughly at the University of Oxford, Professor Johnston praised the Nizami Ganjavi Center of Oxford, emphasizing the importance of such scientific events. He informed the attendees that had been very pleased to hear the Azerbaijani language at the University of Oxford for the first time.
Professor Eberhard Sauer of the University of Edinburgh, School of History, Classics and Archaeology, noted the value of the upcoming initiatives of the Nizami Ganjavi Center for archeology in Azerbaijan's Barda and the importance of the research in terms of studying Late Antiquity.
Dr. Dan Lowrence of Durham University noted that the Barda archeological project was part of his scientific interests and that he was willing to collaborate with other specialists to realize the project.
Dr. Nick Evans of the University of Oxford and the Nizami Ganjavi Center described the leading political centers of the Caucasian Center in the Late Antiquity.
John Latham of the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London presented a report on the transformation of political power during the Alan Kingdom in 890-1030. He expressed willingness to cooperate with scholars of the Nizami Ganjavi Center.
Ryan Lynch of the Oriental Studies Department of the University of Oxford presented a report on the Sasanian Empire against Caucasian Albania using Arab Medieval sources. Ryan Lynch cooperates with the Center.
Professor Annegret Plontke-Luning of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena made a report on architecture styles of churches in the North Caucasus and a report on Kisladag and Lyakit in Azerbaijan. She expressed hope for further cooperation with the Center.
Associate Professor Lala Aliyeva of the History Faculty of Baku State University attended the conference at the invitation of Professor Robert Hoyland and Professor Nargiz Pashayeva. She noted that being a part of the University of Oxford was a creditable fact for the Nizami Ganjavi Center and wished it success.
Dr. Irina Shingiray of the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology of the University of Oxford spoke about the role of the Khazars in the Caucasus Region and their political and religious prospects.
Professor of Persian Studies Edmund Herzig of the University of Oxford emphasized that the Caucasus and the Caspian Region had not been studied well in the West, resulting in a scientific gap. On the other hand, due to differences in the political system and ideologies, ties with scientists and thinkers were underdeveloped. The efforts activated recently are not enough to overcome the differences. He expressed hope that the Nizami Ganjavi Center would compensate for the gap that had existed for a long time. Professor Edmund Herzig stressed the role of Nargiz Pashayeva in holding the conference.
Nargiz Pashayeva stated that Azerbaijan united several religions and peoples, served as a bridge connecting the East and the West. Emphasizing that Azerbaijan created the first democratic republic in the East, she expressed hope that the Center would contribute to development of the country's scientific potential. Pashayeva added that the world had a population of over 50 million Azerbaijanis.
Professor Nargiz Pashayeva met with Liesl Elder, the director of the Development Office of the University of Oxford, who signed the memorandum of understanding to found the Nizami Ganjavi Center in October 2013. They discussed the progress of the Center. Professor Robert Hoyland and Professor Edmund Herzig taking part in the talks described the work of the center and gave insight into further plans. Professor Nargiz Pashayeva discussed new projects with Robert Hoyland, presentation of Academician Yevgeny Beltels' book 'The Great Azerbaijani Poet Nizami' which will be published by the Center in English. Moreover, the sides exchanged opinions on excavations in Barda and new events in Baku and Oxford.
Professor Bryan Ward-Perkins of Trinity College organized sightseeing in his College for Professors Hoyland and Pashayeva. Pashayeva was informed about the history and education at the college. Dr. Gillian Evison heading the Weston Library invited Nargiz Pashayeva to the recently completed library. It stores the manuscripts of Calila e Dimn, Bahariyya, Hamse, works of Shakespeare, Omar Khayyam, Euclid, the New Testament dating back to King Henry VIII and other unique documents. Pashayeva proposed holding a seminar on Nizami Ganjavis work and a demonstration of his manuscripts.
Professor Robert Hoyland and Professor Nargiz Pashayeva gave an interview to the Azerbaijan State Information Agency and Azerbaijan Television. They described their impressions of the scientific conference held at the Oriental Institute of Oxford.
