On 15-18thMay, 2014 VIII. International Symposium of Turkic Culture, Art and Protection of Cultural Heritage/Art Activity was co-organized by Turkish Handicraft Research and Application Center of Selçuk University of Turkey; MIRAS Social Organization in Support of Studying of Cultural Heritage, Azerbaijan; Underground Arqueología Spain; NGO Archaeologica, Macedonia; Italian Association of Conservation Scientists and Konya Municipality in Konya City of Turkey. More than 150 scholars representing various scientific institutions from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Italy, Spain, Russia, and Czech Republic, as well the Balkans made interesting reports at the conference.

The symposium opened by secretary of Organization Committee of symposium Ahmet Aytac at Movlana Cultural Center. He expressed his sorrow concerning Soma tragedy andmade his condolences to relatives of people died in the mine on behalf of symposium participants and wished healing for the wounded. Co-chairmen of the organization committee, PhD on history Fariz Khalilli(Azerbaijan) and senior lecturer Osman Kunduracı (Turkey) also stated their condolences and noted most events were delayed in this connection. Associate member of National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan (NASA), Vali Aliyev speaking in behalf of Azerbaijani delegation dealt with study of old history of Turkic nations; Asnaya Shukurova, representative of Ministry of Culture and Tourism about cultural heritage policy implemented in Azerbaijan last years. Vice rector of Selcuk University, professor Dr. Mustafa Şahin and assistant secretary general of Konya Municipality, Shenol Aydın expressed their pleasurewith arrangement ofsymposium in Konya and that all conditions created for its being interesting. Former minister of transportation, MP OktayVural; Mustafa Chipan, chief of Konya department of culture and tourism; chief of Konya Manuscripts Library BekirShahin also attended the symposium.
Associate members of NASA, known archaeologist ValiAliyev made report on ‘Bronze Age petroglyphs of Nakhchivan and Anatolia”; outstanding architect Jafar Giyasi "Sheik Babı khanegah"; chief researcher of NASA Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Professor Gafar Jabiyev and vice rector of Azerbaijan Teachers Institute and PhD Fariz Khalilli reported on "some results of primary archaeological explorations in Mehravan town"; director assistant of NASA Institute of Architecture and Art, Professor Kubra Aliyeva "world tree in Azerbaijani art” and “ images of life tree and their mythological roots”; Professor Rayiha Amenzade" constructions of medieval Azerbaijani tombs (XI-XVII centuries)"; chief of the chair of Azerbaijani Technical University, Professor Shikar Gasimov spoke about "the history ofdevelopment of literature and art of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan (1920-1930 years)" and they were welcomed with interest by the participants. In general over 60 symposiums and posters were presented at the symposium from Azerbaijan.
At the last session chaired by Professor Örcün Barışta, director of I. Koyunoglu Museum, Hasan Yahsar; Professor Taciser Onuk; Professor Luigi Scrinzi; senior lecturer Yaşar Erdemir; senior lecturer Osman Kunduraçı; PhDFariz Khalilli and Ahmet Aytaç made a speech at the meeting at I.Koyunoglu Museum and expressed impressions on the symposium. Focusing on "Expo Milan 2015" it was decided that 9th International Symposium of Turkic Culture, Art and Protection of Cultural Heritage/Art Activity will be held in Verona city of Italy.
“Turkicarts” exhibitionandposterswereshownatI. Koyunoglu museum exhibition hall during the symposium. Posters and works of art of scholars and artisans from Azerbaijan were among them.
Associate member of NASA Vali Aliyev was rewarded with traditional “Award for contribution to science and art” by Selcuk University. The conference participants presented plaquettes and gifts to one another.
Asnaya Shukurova who was presented plaquette of minister of culture and tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan Abulfas Garayev presented books of promotion of Azerbaijan by the ministry, to the museum and symposiumorganizers.
The participants got acquainted with Chatal Hoyuk Neolithic Monument, tomb and museum of Movlana Jalalatdin Rumi on the last day of the symposium.