THE TRANSFORMATION OF NATIONAL IDENTITY OF AZERBAIJANI MIGRANTS IN EUROPE THROUGH THE PRISM OF CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL CHANGES

In the era of contemporary global transformations, international migration has become a significant factor influencing the reconstruction of national identities. Globalization, transnational mobility, digitalization, and multicultural social structures have profoundly reshaped the ways in which migrant communities perceive and express their national belonging [2]. In this context, Azerbaijani migrants living in Europe represent an important case for examining the transformation of national identity under modern global conditions. This study aims to analyze the transformation of national identity among Azerbaijani migrants in Europe through the prism of contemporary global changes. The research focuses on key dimensions of identity transformation, including language use, cultural traditions, religious affiliation, social integration, and transnational connections. By examining both first-generation migrants and subsequent generations born or raised in Europe, the study highlights the emergence of hybrid and dual identity models shaped by interactions between homeland heritage and host-society norms [6]. The findings indicate that migration does not lead to the erosion of Azerbaijani national identity but rather to its reconfiguration within a multicultural European context. While first-generation migrants tend to maintain a strong emotional and cultural connection to their homeland, younger generations display a more selective and symbolic attachment to national identity. Language shift, changing family structures, and exposure to European individualistic values contribute to this transformation, while diaspora organizations and digital communication platforms play a crucial role in preserving collective memory and cultural continuity [4], [7]. The study also emphasizes the importance of transnational practices, such as maintaining social, Introduction. With the beginning of the twenty-first century, globalization, transnationalism, the rapid development of information technologies, and the intensification of international migration have made it necessary to reconsider the concept of national identity in new contexts [2], [10]. In the modern era, national identity is no longer a static category based solely on ethnic affiliation or historical memory, but rather a dynamic structure that continuously changes under the interaction of social, cultural, political, and economic factors [1], [11]. Migration, in particular, serves as one of the main catalysts in the formation and transformation of both individual and collective identities and directly impacts the social structure of societies [3].