Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

Nguyen Van Chien, a member of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, a professor at Hanoi University, a Doctor of Philology, and a translator shared his impressions of his visit to the international scientific conference on “Literature of Asian Peoples: Traditions and Modern Tendencies” held at Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, on Vietnam’s vanvn.vn electron news portal.

An international conference on Asian literature and cooperation prospects between Azerbaijan and Vietnam

With the invitation of the Institute of Literature of ANAS named after Nizami Ganjavi and the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Vietnam, Nguyen Van Chien, a member of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, Doctor of Philology, and translator participated in the international scientific conference on “Literature of Asian Peoples: Traditions and Modern Tendencies” held in Baku, from December 16-18, 2024.

The following article is about Professor Nguyen Van Chien’s participation in the conference and scientific and literary cooperation perspectives between Azerbaijan and Vietnam.

The opening speech at the plenary meeting was delivered by the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli.

Organized by the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of ANAS, the conference was held at the Library of the Academy of Sciences and attended by members of the Presidium of ANAS, renowned scholars, literary, cultural, and scientific figures from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Pakistan, China, India, South Korea, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and other countries, as well as media representatives.

At the beginning of the event, the attendees reviewed an exhibition featuring publications on the literature of Asian peoples, published by ANAS.

In his opening speech, the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli emphasized that today’s conference holds historical significance as the first international scientific conference held in Baku dedicated to the literature of Asian countries.

Highlighting that during the former Soviet period, the literature, culture, and politics of Western countries were studied more, Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that this led to less focus on the literature of Asian peoples. He pointed out that only after Azerbaijan restored its independence a series of studies on Asian countries began in Azerbaijan.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that for this purpose, the Azerbaijan-Asia Literary Relations Department was established at ANAS. He also recalled the establishment of several research centers at the Institute of Literature, including the China Studies Center, the Pakistan Literature Center, the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Center (Turkish literary studies), the Alisher Navoi Center for Literary Studies (Uzbek literary studies) and the Magtymguly Fragi Turkmen Literature Center. While all these centers focus on Asian countries, research on Western literature continues at the Institute as well, and scholars are also showing interest in studying African literature.

The President of ANAS specifically emphasized the existence of the Department of World Literature and Comparative Studies at the Institute of Literature, which conducts research on Western, European, and American literature. Additionally, he recalled the activities of the Department of Turkic Peoples' Literature at the Institute of Literature and the Department of Central Asian Countries at the Institute of Oriental Studies.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli also spoke about the international relations of ANAS and highlighted that cooperation agreements have been signed between ANAS and numerous academic institutions and scientific research institutes worldwide. He noted that ANAS is currently collaborating with several universities of Türkiye, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan and is also interested in establishing ties with relevant institutions of Vietnam.

In conclusion, the President of ANAS emphasized the importance of the conference in promoting Azerbaijani literature, culture, and the country itself to Asian peoples, as well as in establishing closer ties with researchers in these fields and developing future joint projects. Academician Isa Habibbeyli highlighted that today’s conference serves as a platform for establishing new ties and friendships, forming collaborations, and deepening scientific relations, while also having the potential to create a synthesis of Eurasia.

Later, representatives from several countries (including Vietnam) delivered speeches at the event, emphasizing that the conference would contribute to expanding scientific relations between Asian countries.

The plenary session also included three scientific presentations.

After the plenary session, the international conference continued its work with four sections: “Literature of Turkic Peoples”, “Comparative Literature Studies”, “East Asian Literature” and “South Asian Literature”.

In the section meetings, nearly 50 presentations were delivered, focusing on the issues and periods of Asian literature, as well as its authors and works.

I was appointed as the head of the IV section of the International Conference on Literary Problems of South Asian Peoples. I was the only representative from Vietnam. I presented a paper comparing Vietnamese and Italian literature, focusing on the understanding of life issues. Scholars raised many questions and suggested further clarification of several issues related to modern Vietnamese literature and typical works. This discussion lasted longer than the allotted time for my presentation.

Later, there were nine presentations on the literature of China, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. In one of these presentations, researcher Sevda Mammadova conducted an excellent discussion on the development stages of Vietnamese literature.

Later, the international conference concluded its work. In the closing ceremony, the Vice President of the Scientific Council of the Division of Humanitarian Sciences of ANAS, Academician Teymur Karimli noted that the participation of representatives from leading academic and educational centers of many Asian countries was highly valued, and it was noted that the presentations in the section meetings covered a wide topics. He emphasized that holding of such an important event on the literature of Asian countries in Baku for the first time in many years is a sign of growing influence of Azerbaijan in the world, as well as indicator of Asian countries’ attitude towards Azerbaijan. Academician Teymur Karimli concluded the event by stating that this historic international conference would contribute to the development of literary and cultural relations among Asian countries in the coming years.

Despite the limited time, I tried to talk with scholars and authors from Azerbaijan, China, India, Türkiye, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Korea, and other countries in order to provide them with more information about Vietnamese literature, its achievements in prose and poetry, as well as the successful innovation process.

The Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences is a prestigious research institution not only in Azerbaijan but also within the scientific community of Turkic states and worldwide. Our country pays great attention to establishing literary relations with them.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of time, I was unable to visit the Azerbaijan Writers' Union as the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Vietnam and I had hoped.

However, the results of this business trip will undoubtedly lay the foundation for the practical and fruitful development of literature and humanitarian sciences between Vietnam and Azerbaijan in the future.

Nguyen Van CHIEN

Member of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, Professor at Hanoi University, Doctor of Philology

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

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