Abstract
<jats:p>This article presents a comparative analysis of two significant figures in Azerbaijani history - Uzun Hasan, the founder of the Aggoyunlu state in the 15th century, and Ilham Aliyev, the current President of the modern Republic of Azerbaijan. Leadership is examined not merely as a political function but as a symbolic and mythological construct in collective memory. The study draws parallels between Uzun Hasan’s role in medieval state-building and Ilham Aliyev’s contribution to restoring territorial integrity and fostering national unity. The article also explores how these leadership figures are integrated into the narrative of Republic Day and how they function as ideological pillars in national consciousness. Keywords: leadership image, national memory, Uzun Hasan, Ilham Aliyev, statehood, political symbolism.</jats:p>