Articles

Multicultural values, ethnic and religious tolerance in Azerbaijani epics

ABSTRACT    

The article examines multicultural values, ethnic and religious tolerance. The research is conducted on the epics "Kitabi-Dada Gorgud", "Koroghlu" and "Asli va Karam". First, the similar and different features between the types of epics ‒ heroic and love epics are explained, the similar features between female characters from Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are mentioned, and the motives of heroism and love are brought forward. In the epic "Asli and Karam" there is talk about the love of an armenian girl and a muslim boy for each other, and the end of this love with a tragedy. In the "Koroghlu" saga, Koroghlu and his madmen are investigated as historical figures. Here, non-observance of Islamic rules, lack of religious and national differences, and tolerance are emphasized. The multiculturalism of the Azerbaijani people since ancient times has been interpreted scientifically and artistically. 

KEYWORDS 

Azerbaijani literature, poetics, epic genre, multicultural values, tolerance