Azerbaijan-Kazakh literary relations, covering a long historical period, entered a new stage of development in the period after the restoration of state independence of both nations. A solid foundation was created for the upward development of these relations.
The new stage of development of literary relations was resolved, first of all, within the framework of mutual official visits of the heads of state of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. As in a number of fields, cooperation relations have been established between both countries in the sphere of literature and literary studies, which can be considered an example of renewed cooperation that meets the challenges of the independence period.
The awarding of the prominent Kazakh thinker Oljas Suleymenov with the Order of "Fame" in 2006, the Order of "Friendship" in 2011, and the Honorary Diploma of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2016 by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev are significant events, as well as Kazakh can be characterized as an example of the value given to literature. In 2016, Oljas Süleymenov was elected an honorary doctor of the Institute of Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi of ANAS. On this occasion, the great Kazakh writer Oljas Suleymenov personally participated in the event held at ANAS and met with the staff of the institute.
It has become a tradition for both Azerbaijani and Kazakh poets and writers, literary scholars to participate in international events and give speeches at a high level. Academician Isa Habibbeyli, correspondent member of ANAS Mohsun Naghisoylu, Ph.D. in philology Agahuseyn Shukurov and others gave speeches at the First International Humanities Forum "Big desert" held in Astana in May 2016. A panel session was also held at the forum moderated by academician Isa Habibbeyli.
On the initiative of the International Turkish Academy operating in Astana, the Association of Turkish World Science Academies was established on the basis of science academies of Turkic-speaking countries, including the participation of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. Academician Isa Habibbeyli, who represented our country at the founding meeting, signed the project on the establishment of the Association from the Azerbaijani side.
The Decree of President Ilham Aliyev dated January 12, 2004 "On the Implementation of Mass Publications in the Azerbaijani Language with Latin Script" includes the works of Abay Kunanbayev, Mukhtar Auezov, Jambul Jabayev, Oljas Suleymenov and other Kazakh poets and writers, along with a number of world classics. It has been translated into our language and published in Latin script, and a new generation of readers formed in independent Azerbaijan has had the opportunity to get acquainted with this literature.
A Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, was opened at Lev Gumilyov Eurasian National University of Kazakhstan. The Center of Kazakh Language, History and Culture named after Abay has started operating at Baku State University.
Scholars from Kazakhstan participated in the seminar on "Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan literary relations" at the Institute of Literature. Gulmira Salumbek and Aynur Akhmetova, employees of Mukhtar Auezov Institute of Literature and Art of Kazakhstan, gave a report on Kazakh literature in Azerbaijani language.
For the first time, the Department of Literature of Turkic Peoples was established in the Institute of Literature in 2008. The department has done a lot of work both in terms of the study of the history of the literature of the Turkic peoples and the development of literary relations. Doctoral students of the department, Turan Teymurov, Narmin Azadgil, Konul Aliyeva wrote a dissertation on Kazakh literature.
Both in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, the literary process is monitored mutually, scientific research is conducted on the life and work of prominent poets and writers, and dissertations are written. In the Soviet era, as in all fields, there were certain frameworks in the scientific field of literary studies. Today, there are no limits for defining and expanding the research areas of the literature of both nations. During the years of independence, the research works of academicians Isa Habibbayli and Nizami Jafarov were published, the monographic study of Aida Feizullayeva, Doctor of Philological Sciences, entitled "Oljas Suleymenov", was published, as well as the well-known researcher of Kazakh literature in Azerbaijan, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Nizami Taghisoy, published a series of articles. Azerbaijani researchers actively participate in almost all events of the International Turkish Academy located in Astana, along with literary scholars from other Turkic-speaking countries.
Recently, Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan documents were signed within the framework of the official visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Astana. Among the signed documents, the "Memorandum of Understanding between the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan and the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan on cooperation in the field of science" is of special importance. This document is aimed at further strengthening of scientific cooperation between the two countries, realization of opportunities for joint scientific cooperation.
