President Ilham Aliyev has addressed the participants of the IX Congress of the Council of Elders of Azerbaijan.
“Elchi” reports that the address states:
“Dear congress participants!
I cordially congratulate you on the commencement of the IX Congress of the Council of Elders of Azerbaijan.
The tradition of eldership, based on the ancient moral and ethical values of the Azerbaijani people, is one of the most important pillars of our national heritage. Respect for elders always occupies a prominent place as a fundamental value in both Azerbaijani oral folk literature and written literature. It is no coincidence that in the “Kitabi-Dede Gorgud” epic, which reflects the historical past and customs of our people, respect for the advice and words of an elder is depicted as the highest moral quality.
Guided by the historical traditions of our people and successfully fulfilling their important mission, our elders act as guarantors of the preservation of moral and ethical values in society and ensure intergenerational continuity. At the same time, our elders have exceptional services in continuing the traditions of national statehood and strengthening civic solidarity.
Our youth, who received education in patriotism and devotion from our elders, played an important role in achieving our glorious Victory in the Patriotic War. Thanks to the national pride and love for the Motherland instilled in the young generation by our elders, who lived with the longing for their lands for more than 30 years and witnessed the pain of war, a new page was written in the modern military history of our people.
It is gratifying that today our elders actively participate in all spheres of the country’s life. The deformation of national-moral and family values in many countries as a result of growing global threats, especially globalization and the harmful effects of social media platforms, highlights the importance and role of the existing institution of eldership in Azerbaijan even more clearly. Raising our youth in a spirit of national patriotism and attachment to their roots, and guiding them on the right path, is one of the main tasks facing our elders.
The Council of Elders of Azerbaijan, established at the end of the last century and uniting prominent figures who have dedicated their lives to serving society, has traveled a long path and continues to contribute to the development of our country today. The Council participates in the socio-political and humanitarian development of the country, in solving current issues of social life, and in the upbringing of the young generation.
I believe that the discussions to be held and the decisions to be adopted at the IX Congress will serve to improve the activities of the Council of Elders and further strengthen the organization’s role in the socio-political life of the country.
I wish success to the work of the Congress, and to each of you, I wish good health, long life, and success in your valuable public activities.”