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On 5 December 2024 the translation into Azerbaijani language of the memoir novel "Forest of the Gods" by Lithuanian literature classic Balis Sruoga (Balys Sruoga) was presented at Ali & Nino Bookshop in Baku.

On 5 December, 2024 the translation into Azerbaijani language of the memoir novel "Forest of the Gods" by Lithuanian literature classic Balis Sruoga (Balys Sruoga) was presented at Ali & Nino Bookshop in Baku. This is a unique event in the history of Lithuanian-Azerbaijani cultural relations.

B. Sruoga's "Forest of the Gods" translator into Azerbaijani was done by literary scholar and publicist, member of the Lithuanian Writers' Union, Mr. Mahir Gamzaev, who is also the Chairman of the Lithuanian Azerbaijan Society. Mr Gamzayev spoke with the Azerbaijani Lithuanians and friends of Lithuania who gathered at the event about the erasons why he had chosen to translate this particular novel, the literary, historical and political significance of the novel, parallels with the present day, and the peculiarities and challenges of translating the work.

The Ambassador-designate of Lithuania to Azerbaijan, Mr. Kęstutis Vaškelevičius, welcomed the guests and thanked the translator and publicist Mr Gamzaev for bringing the two nations closer through his work and creativity, for strengthening cultural ties between the two countries and for increasing mutual understanding. According to the Ambassador, B. Sruoga's novel is a reminder of the painful lessons of history - the tragedies that befall humanity as a result of the rise of totalitarian ideologies and regimes. It is therefore necessary to foster historical memory in order not to forget the crimes of totalitarian regimes.

"The best Lithuanian literary works are terra incognita for Azerbaijani readers.  In order to partially fill this gap, I decided to translate and publish this work by B. Sruoga into Azerbaijani. Moreover, this book is rich in historical, cultural and ethnological insights - the novel reflects the beliefs, mythology and ethno-culture of Lithuanians and other ancient Balts, and highlights the features of the Lithuanian mentality, worldview and outlook. Therefore, I think that in this respect, too, "Forest of the Gods" is a suitable work to convey Lithuanian ethnic culture to Azerbaijanis through an artistic prism," Mr. Gamzaev said at the event.

"As a rule, I don't take on any work, I choose one that I admire, that I feel resonates with my own literary views, expression of thoughts and aesthetic taste. I have no doubt that B. Sruoga's „Forest of the Gods“ will remain for future generations as a courageous, resolute, unique testimony to life in conditions of total terror and dehumanisation. That is why I would call the choice of this novel as the choice of my soul," Mr. Gamzaev noted.

The translator of the book stressed his belief that the translation of "Forest of Gods" into Azerbaijani will give the people of this country the opportunity to get to know Lithuanian values, creativity and cultural uniqueness through the prism of culture, and will contribute to the development of intercultural dialogue, the strengthening of the reputation of Lithuania, and the promotion of the name of Lithuania.

The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Azerbaijan plans to organise more presentations of the Azerbaijani translation of B. Sruoga's "Forest of the Gods" for a wide range of Azerbaijani audiences in 2025, together with discussions on topical issues of bilateral cooperation in the fields of literature, art and history.

The book is published as part of a joint international publishing project of the Lithuanian Genocide and Resistance Research Centre and the Azerbaijani Community in Lithuania. The project is carried out in Vilnius and Baku. This translation was partially supported by the Lithuanian Council for Culture, the Lithuanian Culture Institute and the Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. The translator of the book, Mr. Mahir Gamzaev, is also the compiler and special editor of the book, the author of more than 60 explanatory notes, commentaries and notes, and the author of the foreword - "Reflections of the Collapse of Western Civilization in Forest of the Gods".