Meeting with the Chairman of the Writers' Union of Azerbaijan writer Anar Rzayev
On May 5, Ambassador Kęstutis Vaškelevičius met with the Chairman of the Writers' Union of Azerbaijan writer Anar Rzayev. Cooperation in the fields of literature and culture, and possible joint projects in the field of literature were discussed in the meeting.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Writers' Union, poet and essayist Salim Babullaoglu and the Member of the Lithuanian Writers' and Translators' Union, Honorary Member of the Writers' Union of Azerbaijan, literary scholar and translator Mahir Gamzayev.
The Ambassador noted that the Lithuania and Azerbaijan nations are brought closer together by the ties that exist between Lithuanian and Azerbaijani writers, poets and translators. This is a very strong foundation and the key element that strengthens our bilateral relations, noted the Ambassador.
K. Vaškelevičius thanked the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union for his personal attention and contribution, as well as the contribution of the members of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union's to Lithuanian literature.
Possible joint initiatives, including the translations and publications of the works by contemporary authors, bilateral literary events, presentations of translated works and other literary and cultural exchange initiatives were discussed in the meeting, including the organization of a joint presentation of the book "Forest of the Gods" (translated by M. Gamzayev), published in Azerbaijani in Baku in 2024, by the Lithuanian literary classic Balys Sruoga.
The Ambassador noted that B. Sruoga novel "Forest of the Gods" is becoming an increasingly important element in Azerbaijan in presenting the history of the Lithuanian people's resistance to the occupying German regime, and in reminding of the grave dangers posed by all totalitarian regimes. The publishing of the book in Azerbaijani language strengthens the literary ties and helps to expand cultural cooperation between the two countries.
The history of cultural ties between Lithuanians and Azerbaijanis dates back to the first half of the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, the literary classics of both nations, Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius and Abdulla Shaig, stood at the origins of our relations in the field of literature.
During the visit, Ambassador had a chance to learn about the history of Azerbaijan Writers' Union, and about the tragic story of the Azerbaijan writers repressed by the Soviet regime. The occupying Soviet regime in Azerbaijan repressed more than a hundred of the country's writers, poets, translators, architects, artists and other cultural figures of Azerbaijan.
The ambassador noted that the Azerbaijani national Shakir Sadygov, who participated in the Lithuanian freedom fight and who was executed by the Soviet regime, was also a beginning poet.
During the meeting, Mahir Gamzayev read in Lithuanian language an excerpt from the poem by famous Azerbaijani poet Rasul Rza "Letter to a Friend" (translated by Sigitas Geda). This poem by a great Azerbaijani poet was dedicated to Lithuania.
