Values education in Anatolian legends

Legends, as carriers of cultural memory, serve as an effective tool in transmitting social values and moral norms from generation to generation. In this regard, legends are regarded as a powerful educational material that strengthens individuals' national and spiritual identities, reinforces social bonds, and facilitates the adoption of societal values through elements such as individual, religious-mystical understanding, and love for homeland and nation. Examining legends collected from various regions of Anatolia is of great importance both in revealing the richness of the Turkish value system and in understanding the pedagogical opportunities that legends provide in conveying these values to individuals. The main purpose of the study is to show that literature, especially legends, is an effective tool for raising young generations with national and spiritual values. In this context, literature plays an important role in shaping the world of values of individuals and forming their national and spiritual identities in addition to its aesthetic dimension. In addition, it aims to contribute to educational practices by making concrete suggestions on how myths can be used in the values education process. The Study titled "Values Education in Anatolian Legends"; the protection of cultural heritage is an important step in terms of integrating legends into the Turkish education system and using them effectively in the values education process. The findings reveal that legends can be utilized not only as elements of cultural heritage but also as educational tools that support students' moral and social development. By analyzing legend texts selected from various regions of Anatolia, covering all 81 provinces of Turkey, the richness of the Turkish value system has been demonstrated. This study contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage while also aiming to strengthen national consciousness among younger generations, thereby reinforcing their sense of identity and value systems.