Konfrans materialları (kitab 2) - Bakı Slavyan Universiteti

II Beynəlxalq konfrans
am certain this new media lab would certainly rival any university journalism
program abroad, in the United States, Europe or Australia.
This new media lab no doubt will be of great value to Baku Slavic
University and Azerbaijan with its amazing growth in Internet usage in the past
ten years. Statistics show that since 2000, Internet growth in Azerbaijan has
grown from just 12,000 users to more than three-and-one-half million users today
or almost 50 percent of the population. Azerbaijan leads the Caucuses Region
where Georgia has slightly more then one million Internet users and Armenia only
208,000 according the recent statistics. (Internet World Stats,
http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats3.htm#asia, Retrieved April 25, 2011)
While the modernity of Azerbaijan might be a profound story, I have
found the most intriguing stories are by in the strong traditions and customs of this
modern global village. American‘s are often prone to making lists, so I would like
to share with you my top ten list of rich traditions that I have enjoyed in
Azerbaijan that should be shared with the rest of the world.
The very first on my list is the universal respect for elders. As an elder
myself, I have been delighted to see young men and women jump from their seats
on the murshrutka to offer me their chairs whenever I step into the autobus. I have
witnessed young people helping elderly strangers off the curb and across the
street. The world would do well to learn from this custom—especially in America
where our elders are not always as warmly regarded.
Second, the Azerbaijani love of art and culture permeates the entire city of
Baku. Statues are devoted to great writers and massive theaters can be found in all
corners of the city. The theaters and art museums and entertainment houses are
often filled with patrons—ostensibly because the cost to enjoy the riches of art
and culture are well within the price range of the average citizen. As an artist
myself, I applaud you and wish more of the world had the appreciation for fine art
found in this country.
Third, I am impressed with the religious tolerance I have observed while a
visitor in you city. While Islam is the dominant religion of this region, I have seen
a host of other places of worship where people are allowed to attend freely and
openly. As an American, I am not accustomed to hearing the chants of the Imam‘s
call to prayers, but I must admit I have found this regular melody a welcome
reminder that the world is a wonderful and fascinating place I should be grateful
to be alive. I suspect if all the world‘s inhabitants had this kind of daily reminder,
the world would be a more peaceful place.
Fourth on my list is the Azerbaijan tradition of festivals and celebrations. I
was lucky to be in Baku for Novruz this year. I took part in several days of the
festival in Iceriseher and was invited to celebrate with my Azerbaijani friends in
their home as well. It was one of my most cherished memories of Azerbaijan
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