Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

On December 18, a scientific session dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the outstanding representative of Azerbaijani literature, prominent public figure, and People’s Writer Yusif Samadoglu was held at the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).

The scientific session was jointly organized by the Institute of Literature and the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union (AWU).

The event was attended by ANAS President and Director of the Institute of Literature, Academician Isa Habibbeyli; Chairman of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union and People’s Writer Anar; the staff of the Institute of Literature; employees of the AWU and “Azerbaijan” magazine; media representatives; and others.

The event began with a viewing of an exhibition reflecting the life and work of the prominent writer.

Opening the scientific session with introductory remarks, Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that the event was held in accordance with the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev dated September 4, 2025, “On the Celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Yusif Samadoglu.” He noted that the materials of the event would be published in “Azerbaijan” magazine.

Providing information about the creative legacy of Yusif Samadoglu—one of the distinctive voices of Azerbaijani literature and a genetic and literary successor of the Samad Vurgun literary school—Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that the writer, who left a lasting mark on the literary process with his works rich in social and moral depth, short stories, and novels, played a special role in elevating national prose to a qualitatively new stage in the 1960s–1970s. He emphasized that Yusif Samadoglu’s small number of profound short stories deserve to be regarded as rare examples of Azerbaijani literature.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that Yusif Samadoglu was one of the leading figures in the creation of a new type of literature in Azerbaijan. Stressing the special place of the novel “The Day of Murder” in his oeuvre, he underlined that People’s Writer Anar described this work as “a literary event in Azerbaijani literature.” The head of ANAS stated that the renowned novel “The Day of Murder,” which became a major cultural phenomenon about the world and humanity, brought the writer recognition beyond the borders of Azerbaijan as well.

Saying that National Leader Heydar Aliyev consistently kept the creative work of People’s Writer Yusif Samadoglu in the spotlight, the head of ANAS noted that the Great Leader gave special instructions regarding the writer’s medical treatment during his illness and visited him in hospital. He emphasized that the relevant Decree signed on the occasion of Yusif Samadoglu’s 90th anniversary is a vivid example of President Ilham Aliyev’s consistent continuation at the state level of the tradition of respect for figures of Azerbaijani literature founded by National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

“When listing works of magical realism in Azerbaijani artistic prose, Yusif Samadoglu’s novels ‘The Day of Murder’ and ‘What Was Said Came True’ are among the first titles that come to mind,” said Academician Isa Habibbeyli, noting that folklore, myth, loneliness, and related themes of magical realism occupy a central place in the writer’s work. He emphasized the importance of Yusif Samadoglu’s innovative approaches in the transformation of magical realism into a literary movement in Azerbaijan.

The head of ANAS characterized Yusif Samadoglu as one of the great figures of Azerbaijani prose of the 20th century endowed with rare talent, noting his distinguished civic-intellectual stance in the struggle for independence. He said that Yusif Samadoglu holds a unique place in the history of Azerbaijani literature, standing out for his distinct attitude toward life and reality, worldview, style, and diversity of thought.

Then, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union and People’s Writer Anar spoke about the eminent writer’s services to Azerbaijani literature and certain aspects of his creative legacy. He stressed that Yusif Samadoglu was a talented individual who embodied the highest qualities of Azerbaijani intellectualism of the 20th century and represented a great lineage to which he belonged. Throughout his life, both in his literary and socio-political activities, he upheld the ideology of Azerbaijani identity and lived with a sense of freedom, democracy, and independence.

People’s Writer Anar described Yusif Samadoglu’s first large-scale novel “The Day of Murder” as a masterpiece of Azerbaijani literature. He shared memories of joint trips, unforgettable meetings, and their friendship, recounting personal recollections of the writer.

People’s Writer Anar characterized Yusif Samadoglu as a noble, kind, reliable, and magnanimous person, noting that the writer’s creative legacy is a national treasure of the Azerbaijani people.

Later, poet and publicist Azad Yashar presented the report by Intigam Gasimzadeh, Editor-in-Chief of “Azerbaijan” magazine, titled “The Personality of Yusif Samadoglu in the Light of Memories.”

At the scientific session, reports were also heard by Doctor of Philological Sciences Vagif Yusifli, “Before ‘The Day of Murder’: The Short Stories”; Doctor of Philosophy in Philology, Associate Professor Nargiz Jabbarli, “The Role of ‘The Day of Murder’ in the Evolution of the Azerbaijani Novel”; Doctor of Philological Sciences Javanshir Yusifli, “The Poetics of Yusif Samadoglu’s Text”; Doctor of Philosophy in Philology, Associate Professor Aygun Bagirli, “Yusif Samadoglu as Seen Through Diaries”; and Doctor of Philosophy in Philology Sudaba Agabalayeva, “Yusif Samadoglu’s Work in the Context of National Memory.”

At the event, Doctor of Philological Sciences Bahar Bardali also shared her memories of the prominent writer.

Translation by Gulhane Aghayeva, Department of Public Relations, Press, and Information, Presidium of ANAS.

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