The presentation ceremony of the book “The Children’s World of Nizami Ganjavi”, prepared and published for children by the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, was held in the “Khurshidbanu Natavan” presentation zone of the Baku Expo Center as part of the 8th International Book Exhibition in Baku.

The event was attended by intellectuals, cultural figures, representatives of diplomatic missions of member and observer states of the Foundation

Opening the event with an introductory speech, President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva noted that the International Book Exhibition organized once again in Baku is a real celebration of books for poets, writers and literary critics, as well as for readers. The President of the Foundation noted that books play an exceptional role in the formation of personality, intellectual development of society, as well as in the awareness of peoples and nations of their national identity.

Gunay Afandiyeva stressed that at the exhibition, the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation is also once again presenting books published by the organization in various countries and languages in order to promote the rich heritage of the Turkic world in the international arena, as well as to bring the Turkic people together and closer to each other.

The President of the Foundation noted that one of the directions of the numerous projects implemented by the organization is to instill the centuries-old culture and values of the Turkic world to new generations. She noted that the book “The Children’s World of Nizami Ganjavi” prepared by the Foundation includes fairy tales based on the immortal works of the great thinker Nizami Ganjavi, and reworked for children since the 40s of the last century by such outstanding writers of Azerbaijan as Abdulla Shaig, Mir Jalal, Mirmehdi Seyidzade, Mikayil Rzaguluzade. Gunay Afandiyeva stated that these works, which were printed in the form of small children’s books in Azerbaijan in the past and passed down from generation to generation, would remind readers of their childhood.

The famous children’s poet of Azerbaijan Zahid Khalil, who spoke at the presentation, stressed the importance of the new publication of the Foundation and noted that the book, which contains the works of the great thinker Nizami, is the legacy of outstanding representatives and classics of Azerbaijani children’s literature.

Director of the House-Museum of Abdulla Shaig Ulker Talibzade noted that the book, which includes fairy tales and colorful illustrations based on Nizami’s works, is important for children to study and assimilate the ancient and rich values of the Azerbaijani people. She evaluated the book “Children’s Nizami Ganjavi World” as a continuation of the traditions of enlightened classics of Azerbaijani literature.

Speaking at the event, head of the Book Circulation and Publishing Department of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Akif Maarifli stressed the importance of studying the legacy of the genius Nizami at all times. He highly appreciated the compilation of a collection of the works of the great poet in a language accessible to children by the International Foundation of Turkic Culture and Heritage and noted that this book is an important contribution for a new generation.

The compiler of the book, poet Farid Huseyn, who spoke at the presentation, recalled that due to the censorship that existed in Soviet times, Azerbaijani poets and writers conveyed the shortcomings of society to their people with selective samples of world literature, translating them into Azerbaijani. Farid Huseyn stressed that today the children of the modern generation will read these works through the eyes of the victorious and independent Azerbaijan.

The artistic part of the presentation featured the works of Nizami Ganjavi, as well as national dances performed by the children’s theater “Chicheyim” and the “Azerbaycan Injileri” dance group of the “Center for the Development of Children’s Youth No. 3” of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency