Artistic Expressions as Vehicles of Cultural Memory: Bridging Identity, Heritage, and Intercultural Understanding

Alaviyya Nuri; Zulfiyya Ismayil; Malahat Babayeva; Abulfaz Guliyev; Firuza Rzayeva; Gunay Shiraliyeva; Tabarruk Jahangirli

doi:10.29333/ejecs/2816

Authors

Alaviyya Nuri Nakhchivan State University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4219-1071
Zulfiyya Ismayil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4967-0123
Malahat Babayeva https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3600-8499
Abulfaz Guliyev https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8733-3833
Firuza Rzayeva https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0705-5878
Gunay Shiraliyeva https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1075-2273
Tabarruk Jahangirli https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3440-756X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/2816

Keywords:

Cultural memory, artistic expression, collective memory, cultural heritage, identity, semiotics, commemoration

Abstract

Artistic expressions – encompassing visual arts, literature, music, architecture, and other creative practices – serve as powerful vehicles of cultural memory that carry a society’s shared past into the present. This article examines the multifaceted relationship between art and cultural memory, drawing on interdisciplinary theories of collective memory and identity. It begins by outlining the concept of cultural memory as distinct from individual recollection or official history, highlighting how collective memories are constructed, transmitted, and preserved through external media and symbols. Artistic expressions are explored as a form of symbolic communication or “language,” encoding cultural values and historical narratives in visual and performative signs. These expressions range from monuments and heritage artifacts to literary works and ritual performances, all of which help stabilize group identity by commemorating shared experiences. We analyze how artworks not only preserve cultural heritage but also actively shape and critique memory – for example, in memorials of trauma that demand ethical reflection. The role of power and perspective in cultural memory is considered, noting that what a society remembers or forgets often reflects relations of hegemony and marginalization. Furthermore, the article discusses contemporary manifestations of cultural memory in digital media, such as serious games and interactive archives that engage new audiences in heritage learning. Through a synthesis of scholarly insights and examples, we demonstrate that artistic expressions function as dynamic “memory devices” – simultaneously conserving the past and reinterpreting it – thereby contributing to cultural continuity, identity formation, and intercultural dialogue.

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Author Biographies

Alaviyya Nuri, Nakhchivan State University

Alaviyya Nuri is a Ph.D. student and lecturer at the Department of English Language and Methodology, Nakhchivan State University, Azerbaijan. Her research interests center on English linguistics, intercultural communication, and English for Specific Purposes (ESP). She has authored and co-authored several research papers on language-teaching methodology and intercultural competence. Nuri also integrates innovative teaching strategies, such as digital storytelling and project-based learning, into her classroom practice.

Zulfiyya Ismayil

Dr. Zulfiyya Ismayil is an Associate Professor and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Philology at Nakhchivan State University and a member of the Nakhchivan Branch of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. Her academic interests include Azerbaijani linguistics, comparative philology, and the development of linguistic thought in Azerbaijan. Dr. Ismayil has published numerous scholarly articles in national and international journals and actively participates in conferences on language and culture studies.

Malahat Babayeva

Dr. Malahat Babayeva works as an associate professor at the Department of Literature at the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (ASPU) in Baku. She holds a Ph.D. in Philology and specializes in Azerbaijani literature, comparative literary studies, and modern Azerbaijani prose. Her research explores national identity, literary expression, and cultural transformation in Azerbaijani literature. Dr. Babayeva has presented her work at numerous international conferences and contributed to peer-reviewed journals.

Abulfaz Guliyev

Professor Dr. Abulfaz Guliyev is a renowned philologist and the Director of the Institute of Art, Language and Literature of the Nakhchivan Branch of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. He also teaches at Nakhchivan State University. His scholarly work focuses on Azerbaijani linguistics, dialectology, and historical language development. Professor Guliyev is the author of several monographs and textbooks and serves as an expert in national and international linguistic projects.

Firuza Rzayeva

Dr. Firuza Rzayeva is an associate professor and the Head of the Master’s Department at the Azerbaijan University of Languages in Baku. She holds a Ph.D. in Philology and has extensive experience in teaching and research. Her academic focus includes language education, sociolinguistics, and translation studies. Dr. Rzayeva has supervised many postgraduate students and contributed significantly to the development of advanced language curricula in Azerbaijan.

Gunay Shiraliyeva

Dr. Gunay Shiraliyeva is an associate professor and she serves as the Head of the Department of English Language Teaching Methods at the Azerbaijan University of Languages, Baku. She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics and has over fifteen years of experience in language pedagogy. Her main research interests include English language teaching methodology, teacher education, and language assessment. Dr. Shiraliyeva has authored numerous papers on ELT innovation and pedagogical strategies.

Tabarruk Jahangirli

Dr. Tabarruk Jahangirli is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages, Azerbaijan Technical University, Baku. She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics and specializes in English language teaching, translation studies, and applied linguistics. Her academic work focuses on integrating technology in language education and enhancing students’ communicative competence. Dr. Jahangirli regularly participates in international symposia and contributes to collaborative research initiatives.

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