The presentation of a collection of books about the history, ethnography and folklore of Gabala took place.

The works implemented by the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, on the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage of Azerbaijan, the restoration and glorification of historical, religious, cultural monuments in the world is priceless. SEBA (Seoul-Baku) Azerbaijani-Korean Culture Exchange Association also, in order to contribute to this initiative, after a 15-year pause in archaeological research in Gabala city, which was the first capital of Caucasian Albania, provided support in this matter. Scientific research related to Gabala has been restored by the implementation of the project of Gabala Archaeological Expedition of SEBA Association since 2005. The expedition began to operate under the guidance of corresponding member of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), late professor Ilyas Babayev, and on the initiative, with the organization and financial support of SEBA Association. The expedition continues its activities in international status along with Korean scientists. In continuation of scientific research related to Gabala, with the support of CEBA Association, under the guidance of academician Teymur Bunyadov, “Gabala Ethnographic Expedition”, consisting of employees of ANAS Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, implemented a study in Gabala region in 2011-2016. As a result of the expedition, a collection of books “History of Gabala”, “Ethnography of Gabala” and “Folklore of Gabala”, was published by TEAS Press publishing house in Baku and Istanbul in 3 languages (Azerbaijani, Russian, English). ANAS hosted the presentation ceremony of the collection dedicated to history, ethnography and folklore of Gabala on January 10. Opening the event with an introduction, the first vice-president of ANAS, academician Isa Habibayli, spoke about high results of studies implemented in recent years by the employees of scientific institutions of Azerbaijan, including the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography. I.Habibbayli emphasized the importance of studying the ancient history of Gabala region. He said that the policies of national leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev directed to economic and political exaltation of our republic have created strong foundation for scientific research and glorification of our scientists at the level of modern world. Academician Teymur Bunyadov provided detailed information on the works presented to the public as a result of comprehensive studies of Gabala city and Gabala region from archaeological, historical and ethnographic points of view. T.Bunyadov especially noted free support from SEBA Association and its president, Ph.D. in geology, Ruhangiz Heydarova, in studies on Gabala region. Director of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, Professor Maisa Rahimova provided information about archaeological and ethnographic studies conducted in Gabala. M. Rahimova noted the possibility of these studies, which revealed historical past and antiquity of our people, rich material and moral heritage of Azerbaijan based on stability and development, established as a result of policies implemented by the head of state. Ambassador of Korea in our country, Kim Op, said that participation of Korean specialists in archaeological research of Gabala with the support of SEBA Association opened a new page in the relations between two countries. The director of National Azerbaijan Museum of Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi of ANAS, academician Rafael Huseynov noted the important scientific, cultural and political significance of publishing in Azerbaijan of the works in Russian and English for our republic and the people, which reflect history, ethnography and folklore of Gabala, which has a 2500-year history. The documentary film “Gabala etudes”, dedicated to ethnographic expedition of Gabala, was shown at the event. It should be noted that in “History of Gabala” book, the history of the region, starting 450 000 years ago, is reflected up to beginning of 2017. The book provides a wide mass of readers with the information about historical past for millennia, covering primitive communal system, the Bronze, Antique and Middle Ages, the formation and exaltation of ancient Gabala city as the capital of Caucasian Albania, the fact that Gabala was one of the prominent cities of Caucasus and East up to the XVIII century, the rise of Gabala in the XIX-XXI centuries. In “Ethnography of Gabala” book a wide mass of readers are provided with the information about natural and geographical conditions and ethnic landscape, economic life, the field of art, material and moral culture, family and family life in the region. And in “Folklore of Gabala” book it is written for the first time in detail about the centuries-old folk culture (folk poetry, legends, etc.).