Shared spiritual values and music: a platform for international academic dialogue
On February 11, 2026, the Department of Music Theory of Kokand State University organized an international webinar for professors, teachers, and master’s students. The online event titled “Common national and spiritual values and the role of music in the socio-cultural relations of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan” served as an important platform for academic discussions and the exchange of experience between the two fraternal peoples.
The keynote speaker was Fakhriya Lilpar Isayeva, Doctor of Art Studies from UNEC — the Azerbaijan State University of Economics, as well as the head, author, and host of the television program “From the Shore of the Khazar…” on Space TV. In her presentation, she emphasized the historical closeness of the Uzbek and Azerbaijani peoples, their shared spiritual roots, national musical traditions, and the role of art in social development.
It was noted that music is not only a source of aesthetic appreciation but also a powerful social factor that unites peoples, preserves historical memory, and strengthens cultural dialogue. In particular, the similarities between Uzbek maqom and Azerbaijani mugham traditions, folklore heritage, compositional schools, and contemporary musical processes vividly reflect the spiritual affinity of the two nations.
The webinar also discussed the importance of national values in the context of globalization, the role of music in educating the younger generation, and the development of cultural diplomacy and international cooperation through art. The event featured an active and meaningful exchange of views.
Such international initiatives contribute to expanding academic cooperation, strengthening experience exchange, integrating education and research, and further reinforcing cultural ties between the two countries.
