The epic culture, folk tales and music of Dede Qorqud are based on twelve heroic legends, stories, and tales as well as thirteen traditional pieces of music that are shared and transmitted through generations through oral expressions, performing arts, cultural symbols, and musical compositions. The character of Dede Qorqud appears in every story as a legendary figure and wise individual, whose wise words, music, and expressions are associated with the traditions of birth, marriage, and death.
As for the musical compositions, the main intonations are reproduced using a musical instrument called the Kobyz through the sounds of nature, and imitation soundscapes are characteristic of this form of music (such as the imitation of a wolf’s howl or a swan’s note). and the musical pieces are all linked to each other through the accompanying epic stories.
These tales impart deep knowledge about the history and culture of the Turkic-speaking communities and are practiced on various occasions from family events to national and international festivals, thus they are rooted in the society and serving as a connecting thread between generations.

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Heritage of Dede Qorqud/Korkyt Ata/Dede Korkut, Epic Culture, Folk Tales and Music was inscribed in 2018 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey.