Azerbaijani translation of B. Sruoga's novel “The Forest of the Gods” presented in Baku
On June 5, the presentation of the Azerbaijani translation of the classic novel ‘The Forest of Gods’ by Lithuanian writer Balys Sruoga took place at the Azerbaijan Writers' Union.
Speaking at the event, Laimonas Talat-Kelpša, Political Director of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed the special significance of this work for Lithuanian literature and noted that the translator and publicist Mahir Gamzaev based the translation on B. Sruoga's original chronicle and not on the Soviet censored work. The Azerbaijani public is therefore one of the first to have access to the author's original, uncensored text.
Lithuanian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kęstutis Vaškelevičius stressed the importance of cultural and literary ties in strengthening the friendship between Lithuania and Azerbaijan and increasing mutual understanding and knowledge.
The work based on autobiographical experiences is still relevant today, the Ambassador noted, as it is also a consequence of totalitarian regimes that did not stop in time.
"The Nazi concentration camps cannot be treated as a mere thing of the past. The world today is full of conflicts where genocidal wars and conflicts are still going on. The mass killings of civilians, the torture chambers and the systematic humiliation used today against Ukrainian prisoners of war and Ukrainian civilians are a painful reminder that evil still exists.
In the 1930s, the world was faced with a choice between giving in to an aggressor and stopping it. Unfortunately, the aggressor was not stopped in time and the world paid an even higher price. Today we face a similar dilemma", said Mr Vaškelevičius.
During the presentation, it was stressed that B. Sruoga's novel reminds us of the painful lessons of history - the tragedies that mankind as a result of the rise of totalitarian ideologies and regimes, which have been experienced by both Lithuania and Azerbaijan. It was said that it is necessary to foster historical memory in order not to forget the crimes of totalitarian regimes.
During the event, thoughts on the work and its translation were shared by the chairman of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, writer and playwright Anar Rzayev, writers Sabir Rustamchanli, Elchin Huseinbejli, Sajad Aran, translators Durdana Ibrahimova and Kenan Hadji, publicists Seyfadin Safarov and Ibrahim Rustamli. The event, which was also attended by other prominent cultural figures, representatives of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration and diplomats, was moderated by Salim Babullaoglu, Secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, poet and essayist.
Mahir Gamzayev, literary translator, member of the Lithuanian Writers' and Lithuanian Literary Translators' Unions, chairman of the Society of Azerbaijani Lithuanians, shared his insights on the criteria for the selection of the Azerbaijani translation and the factors determining the relevance of this translation, as well as on the novel's artistic value and its historical, national, cultural, societal, and geo-political significance.
The presentation of the book ‘Forest of the Gods’ was covered by the Azerbaijani media.
The book was published in Azerbaijani in 2024 and has not yet been presented to the Azerbaijani public.
