On May 19, a meeting was held at the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences with the prominent Romanian poet, President of the International Academy “Mihai Eminescu”, Professor Ion Deaconescu.
The meeting was attended by the President of ANAS and Director of the Institute of Literature, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, the Ambassador of Romania to Azerbaijan, Vasile Soare, the Chairman of the Free Trade Union of ANAS, PhD in Political Sciences Senan Hasanov, the Secretary for International Relations and Translation Affairs of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, Salim Babullaoğlu, as well as staff members of the Institute of Literature and young researchers.
In his speech at the event, Academician Isa Habibbeyli mentioned that today’s meeting marks the first step in establishing scientific and literary relations with Romania at ANAS during the years of independence. He noted that the purpose of the meeting is to become acquainted with the works of Professor Ion Deaconescu and to sign a cooperation agreement with the International Academy “Mihai Eminescu”.
Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that although intellectuals and scientists from Romania visited Azerbaijan during the Soviet era, these visits were not consistent, and no scientific cooperation agreement was signed in the years of independence. The President of ANAS emphasized that the International Academy “Mihai Eminescu” is one of the prestigious institutions in Romania, recognized across Europe, and cooperates with many scientific organizations around the world. He added that the academy organizes poetry festivals every year and publishes books, monographs, and scientific journals.
Academician Isa Habibbeyli underlined that today’s agreement would serve as the first bridge for establishing scientific relations between Romania and Azerbaijan. He noted that Azerbaijani readers have already begun to explore the literary works of Romanian writers, highlighting that Ion Deaconescu’s selected poetry collection “Müsahibə” (“Interview”) has been translated into Azerbaijani by Salim Babullaoğlu, Secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union. Academician Isa Habibbeyli mentioned that he had viewed the collection, which includes 35 poems, and observed that Deaconescu’s work reflects recent literary developments in Europe. He added that although there are some signs of naturalism in Professor Ion Deaconescu’s poems, this is not the main style he uses. Instead, the poet mostly writes in a surrealist style.
The head of ANAS congratulated Ion Deaconescu, a prominent figure in Romanian literature, on recently being awarded the “Mahammad Fuzuli Medal” by the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union.
Academician Isa Habibbeyli also spoke to the guest about the history of the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature, which he leads, highlighting its prominent figures, main areas of activity, and the research conducted on the literature of the Turkic world, as well as Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Eastern nations.
He also noted that today’s meeting and the agreement to be signed will provide an opportunity to study the literary work of Turks living in Romania. The two sides will organize joint events and collaborate on the publication of books and articles.
Later, Academician Isa Habibbeyli presented the guest with commemorative gifts reflecting the 80th anniversary of ANAS, as well as a publication released by the academy about Mahammad Fuzuli and the Anthology of Azerbaijani Literature.
In his speech, Ion Deaconescu, President of the International Academy “Mihai Eminescu”, poet, literary critic, and translator, expressed his pleasure at being at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. He emphasized the importance of developing relations in the current era through real events and noted that the Academy he leads has the right to nominate candidates for the Nobel Prize. Ion Deaconescu announced that next year, the International Academy “Mihai Eminescu” will nominate a poet from Azerbaijan for the Nobel Prize.
He also expressed his gratitude to Academician Isa Habibbeyli for his original thoughts on his poetry and requested that the President of ANAS write the foreword for his upcoming book to be published in Azerbaijani. Sharing information about the festivals organized by the academy he leads, the guest spoke about future plans and proposed holding a Fuzuli-Eminescu festival in Azerbaijan next year.
He announced that Academician Isa Habibbeyli was awarded the “Mihai Eminescu” medal by the International Academy “Mihai Eminescu” and presented the medal to the President of ANAS.
He also presented the gold medal of the International Academy “Mihai Eminescu” and the “Culture Ambassador” diploma to Vasile Soare, the Ambassador of Romania to Azerbaijan.
Following this, Ambassador Vasile Soare spoke about the diplomatic relations between the two countries and thanked the organizers of the event, which will lead to even greater development of scientific and cultural ties.
The Deputy Director of the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of ANAS, PhD in Philology, Associate Professor Mehman Hasanli, Professor Gular Abdullabayova, PhD in Philology Aytan Rustamzade, and the Secretary for International Relations and Translation Affairs of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, Salim Babullaoğlu, also made speeches at the event, underlining that the cooperation agreement to be signed between the institutions would make a significant contribution to carrying out even more fruitful joint activities.
Following the speeches, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of ANAS and the International Academy “Mihai Eminescu” of Romania. The document was signed by Academician Isa Habibbeyli and Professor Ion Deaconescu.
The event concluded with taking of commemorative photos.
