Contemporary trends in Central Asian literature: Preserving traditions and adapting to globalisation

The purpose of this study is to analyse the ways of integrating epic and folklore into modern literature to transmit the values of the past, address contemporary issues, and strengthen cultural continuity. The research methodology was based on a comparative analysis of selected Central Asian literary works that exemplify the transformation of traditional motifs and narrative structures. The study examined the use of folklore imagery, epic composition, and their adaptation within modern genres such as magic realism, postmodernism, and science fiction, interpreting these elements through the lens of cultural and literary studies. The findings revealed that contemporary literature of Central Asia effectively combines traditional elements of the epic with modern literary forms, creating works that reflect national identity and respond to the challenges of the modern world. This synthesis demonstrates the enduring potential of folklore heritage to convey moral and philosophical ideas, preserve historical memory, and reinterpret cultural traditions in the context of social change.