The Vagif Poetry Days has kicked off in front of Molla Panah
Vagif Museum-Mausoleum Complex, Azernews
reports.
The event is co-organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and
the Culture Ministry.
The opening ceremony was attended by state and government
officials, well-known scientific and cultural figures of the
republic, members of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, young writers,
poets, as well as local residents for the first time.
First Secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, People's
Writer Chingiz Abdullayev addressed the opening ceremony.
In his speech, People's Writer Chingiz Abdullayev stressed that
this year, Vagif Poetry Days coincides with many significant
events.
"First of all, I would like to note that this year's event is
being held for the first time after the complete restoration of the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the final victory in the
Garabagh War under the leadership of President, Commander-in-Chief
of Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev. Moreover, the city of Shusha has been
declared the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2024. This year
also marks the 530th anniversary of the birth of the brilliant
Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli and the 90th
anniversary of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union. More than 100 SPA
members are taking part in this poetry festival," he said.
President of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS),
Academician Isa Habibbayli said that Molla Panah Vagif is regarded
as one of the poets who created a literary school in Azerbaijani
literature.
Also, one of the main points that distinguishes him from his
predecessors is that for the first time he openly and widely
introduced the geography of Azerbaijan into the literature.
" At a time when the Soviet government insidiously pursued a
policy of internationalism in Garabagh, the outstanding statesman,
National Leader Heydar Aliyev erected such a majestic Vagif
Mausoleum in Shusha, which once again confirmed that Garabagh is
Azerbaijan. At the same time, the restoration of the Vagif
Mausoleum in Shusha, liberated under the leadership of President
Ilham Aliyev, is of great importance. The renewed Vagif Poetry Days
are a great holiday of Azerbaijan expressed in the language of
poetry and art, which is becoming more beautiful day by day under
the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. I express my gratitude to
the organizers of the Vagif Poetry Days for this wonderful event,"
ANAS President said
People's Writer Elmira Akhundova spoke about National Heydar
Aliyev's endless love and concern for Azerbaijani language and
literature.
She stressed that even in the most difficult times of the Soviet
era, Heydar Aliyev encouraged the preservation and development of
national thought, the idea of Azerbaijanism. The great leader
ensured that works that reflected these ideas, aimed at future
generations, were awarded the State Prize.
Elmira Akhundova, who said that she was taking part in the Vagif
Poetry Days for the first time, expressed her gratitude to
President, Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev and
Azerbaijani Army,who gave the joy of these days.
Deputy of the 6th convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament
Fazil Mustafa said that, perhaps, the first thing we remember in
this beautiful place is a painting from the 1980s.
"The meaning of this painting can be interpreted in different
ways. But in the picture, beautiful snow falling on the shoulders
of national leader Heydar Aliyev seems to bless the opening of the
Vagif Mausoleum. However, years later this beautiful snow was
followed by an avalanche. The whole of Shusha, including this
mausoleum, fell under this avalanche. For almost thirty years we
could not clear Shusha from this avalanche. It also showed us that
at some point we will have to face the risk of losing the values
we have acquired. This is why we need to create such a strong
foundation to revive these values. Our lands were liberated from
occupation thanks to the brilliant leadership abilities of
President, Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev and the
heroism of the Azerbaijani Army. After the liberation, this
mausoleum seemed to emerge from an avalanche, and the souls of the
outstanding personalities who lived here rejoiced. Today, Shusha is
once again strengthening its power as a place that has become a
symbol of Azerbaijan," said Fazil Mustafa.
Chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council, Deputy Chairman of
Azerbaijan Writers' Union People's Poet Sabir Rustamkhanli,
Secretary of Azerbaijan Writers' Union Rashad Majid,
poet-translator Salim Babullaoglu and Chairman of the Kazakh
section of Azerbaijan Writers' Union Barat Vusal recited their
poems about Shusha's breathtaking nature.
In the artistic part, the poetic duet of Muhammad Fuzuli and
Molla Panah Vagif performed by Honored Artists Azad Shukurov and
Nazir Rustamov was presented to the audience.
Honored Artist Nigar Shabanova, soloists Abgul Mirzaliyev, Ilkin
Dovlatov and Leyla Rahimli performed with a concert program, which
included music pieces like "Qarabağ kompozisiyası", "Şuşanın
dağları" and "Bura Vətəndir".
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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr