On August 15, an event dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bakhtiyar Vahabzade, a prominent figure in Azerbaijani literature, People’s Poet, playwright, literary scholar, educator, and public figure, was held at the National Library of Azerbaijan.
Opening the event, the Director of the National Library, Professor Karim Tahirov, welcomed the guests and highlighted that People’s Poet Bakhtiyar Vahabzade, a laureate of state awards and academician, is not only one of Azerbaijan’s most beloved poets but also cherished across the entire Turkic world. He spoke about the series of events organized by the Ministry of Culture, TÜRKSOY, and the National Library in accordance with the decree of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, issued on February 21, 2025, on celebrating Vahabzade’s 100th anniversary at the state level.
Professor Tahirov noted that on February 24, the Ministry of Culture, TÜRKSOY, and the National Library inaugurated the “Year of Bakhtiyar Vahabzade” at TÜRKSOY headquarters in Ankara and held a literary-artistic composition titled “Bakhtiyar of the Turkic World” at the Bakhtiyar Vahabzade School in Ankara. Additionally, the presentation of Vahabzade’s first book, “My Friends” (1949), from the joint National Library and Ministry of Culture project “The First Book of a Prominent Poet”, took place. Professor Tahirov emphasized that the National Library is preparing a bibliography titled “Bakhtiyar Vahabzade. Bibliography” and that a series of similar events will be held throughout Azerbaijan and the Turkic world throughout the year.
During the event, Vasif Gurbanzade, Head of the Book Industry Department of the Ministry of Culture and a writer-publicist, spoke of his personal acquaintance with Vahabzade. He emphasized that as long as Azerbaijani literature, science, and culture thrive, Bakhtiyar Vahabzade will remain a permanent figure in the country’s literary history. He noted Vahabzade’s scholarly and pedagogical contributions, civic stance, and relationships of friendship, and mentioned that the poem “Gulustan” earned him the admiration of national leader Heydar Aliyev.
Esmira Fuad (Shukurova), Leading Researcher and Doctor of Philology at the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of ANAS, highlighted Vahabzade’s multifaceted creativity, rich literary heritage, Turkic ideas, and his place in Azerbaijani literature. She stated that he is a literary figure of the Turkic world and Turan, and emphasized the continued relevance of his works.
Asgarli Alizade, Leading Researcher and Doctor of Philology at the same institute, noted that Vahabzade is one of the rare figures in 20th–21st century Azerbaijani poetry. He added that the foundation of Vahabzade’s poetry is Azerbaijani identity, Turkism, Turanism, and the concept of humanity, calling him a poet of high moral and artistic stature.
Following the speeches, the National Library presented the electronic database “Bakhtiyar of the Turkic World” and the virtual and traditional exhibition “People’s Poet Bakhtiyar Vahabzade – 100”.
The electronic database includes sections such as Official Documents, Major Dates in Life and Career, Prominent Figures on the Poet, From Bakhtiyar Vahabzade’s Diary, Thoughts on Literature and Art, Songs Based on His Poems, Filmography, Publications, About Him, Awards, Commemoration, Photo Gallery, and Video Gallery. All materials are provided in full text. The database can be accessed at: https://anl.az/el/emb/Bextiyar_Vahabzade/index.html.
The virtual exhibition can be viewed at: https://anl.az/el/vsb/Baxtiyar_Vahabzade/index.htm.
The event concluded with the presentation of the traditional book exhibition “People’s Poet Bakhtiyar Vahabzade – 100”. The exhibition features official documents, photographs, signed books donated by the poet to the National Library, opinions of prominent figures, articles on his life and public activity, monographs on his poetry, dramaturgy, linguistic views, educational contributions, and music scores based on his poems.
