Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

A scientific conference dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the People’s Writer Ilyas Efendiyev was held at the Institute of Literature of ANAS named after Nizami Ganjavi.

The event brought together the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, People’s Writer Elchin, deputy of the Milli Majlis Gunay Efendiyeva, the director of the Institute of Language and Literature named after Chingiz Aitmatov, Academician Abdyldazhan Akmataliev, literary scholars from Kyrgyzstan, Academy staff, and media representatives.

At first, there was a viewing of an exhibition featuring the works of People’s Writer Ilyas Efendiyev and books written about him. 

The event was opened by the President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, the director of the Institute of Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi, Academician Isa Habibbeyli. The head of ANAS emphasized that Ilyas Efendiyev, who lived during the Soviet period, created significant literary works that, as much as possible, remained outside that ideology. He is one of the few writers who did not join the Communist Party. Through the strength of his talent and the voice of his heart, he created works that live on today and will continue to live on tomorrow, regardless of changes of social formations. His writings are addressed to Azerbaijan’s future, dedicated to a deeper portrayal of the nation’s interests. The great literature, which began with the work “Letters from the Village”, resulted in the emergence of new literature that enriched Azerbaijani prose.

According to Academician Isa Habibbeyli, the greatest master of lyrical-psychological prose in Azerbaijan during the Soviet period was Ilyas Efendiyev.

The Academician noted: “When speaking of Ilyas Efendiyev’s creative work, it is impossible not to highlight his dramaturgy. He is also the creator of lyrical-psychological theater and drama. Ilyas Efendiyev’s theater was different in the lyrical-psychological style, presenting the inner world of the individual to society. Particularly with his works from the 1960s to the 1980s, Ilyas Efendiyev provided the Azerbaijani people with literature that stood apart from ideology but was directed toward national ideals and real life, thus helping to prepare them for future independence. In particular, the ideals of Azerbaijanism in the plays “Natavan” and “Khiyabani”, clearly express Ilyas Efendiyev’s contributions to shaping a new generation with a mindset of state independence. Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated: “We have assigned one of our doctoral students a dissertation topic on the works of Ilyas Efendiyev. This topic is also the duty of our literary studies. The event also indicates that our literary studies has refocused on the work of Ilyas Efendiyev”. -said the Academician

Doctor of philological sciences, Professor Asif Rustamli, doctor of philological sciences Vagif Yusifli and doctor of philological sciences Sara Osmanli gave reports on various topics related to the creativity of Ilyas Efendiyev.

The director of the Institute of Language and Literature named after Chingiz Aitmatov, Academician Abdyldazhan Akmataliev stated in his speech that the works of prominent representatives of Azerbaijani literature, such as Bakhtiyar Vahabzadeh, Ilyas Efendiyev, Anar, and Elchin have been translated and made accessible to a wide readership in Kyrgyzstan. He added that three novels of Ilyas Efendiyev have been translated into Kyrgyz, published, and received with great interest. Senior scientific researcher of the Literature Institute, Dilara Adilova delivered a comprehensive report on the main characteristics of Ilyas Efendiyev’s work.

At the end of the event, on behalf of the writer’s family members, People’s Writer Elchin shared his pleasant memories and impressions related to the Institute of Literature. He also highly assessed the reports. “If today, experts give more value to Ilyas Efendiyev’s work, it means he is a fortunate writer. Ilyas Efendiyev, with his creativity, served literature, not ideology”- he said. He expressed his gratitude to the event organizers and participants in the event.

Reyhan Majidli, Public Relations, Press and Information Department of the Presidium Administration of ANAS

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