An international conference devoted to Nizami Ganjavi in Strasbourg

February 14, 2014


An international conference devoted to Azerbaijan’s great poet Nizami Ganjavi was held at the Rhine Palace of Strasbourg, February 14, with organizational support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and assistance by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France.


Opening the conference, administrator of the Strasbourg National and University Library Robert Poirot underscored that Azerbaijan has made significant contribution to intercultural dialogue. Presenting Nizami Ganjavi as a source of inspiration for masters of word, Poirot emphasized that the poet has been highly valued in Europe too.


Talking of the poet’s creativity, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to France Elchin Amirbeyov said Nizami Ganjavi has left a great legacy not only in literature, but also in science and human values. The diplomat mentioned that the “Khamsa” work, a collection of literary and philosophical ideas, of the poet included 5poems.  He said Nizami Ganjavi’s works and his humanism ideas are a unique source for literary and philosophical thoughts of the world and, in particular, France.


The Ambassador mentioned that, in 2011, President Ilham Aliyev signed a Decree to mark the 870th jubilee of Nizami Ganjavi, and that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, headed by Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, had organized translation and publication of the poets’ works in several languages.


Corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan Teymour Kerimli delivered a speech on the theme of “Nizami Ganjavi’s Love Philosophy”, and  head of the Azerbaijani Writers Union’s Ganja branch Mammad Alim on “Nizami Ganjavi – a poet of all times and places”.


At a conference, the speech by head of the Strasbourg National and University Library’s Manuscripts Preservation and Heritage Section Frederick Blin on the theme of ”Nizami in Strasbourg”, by Professor of Princeton University’s Middle East Studies Department Michael Barry on “Nizami Ganjavi – A Poet of Soul”, by Research Director of the Languages and Civilizations Library Francis Richard on “Originality of Nizami Ganjavi’s manuscripts being preserved in Strasbourg”, by Professor of Berlin-Humboldt University  Eva-Maria Auch on “Oriental studies of Goethe and Nizami”, and Professor of the Napoli University of Oriental Studies Michael Bernardi on “A story as a psychological therapy: Seven Beauties” were heard.  


Alsace district’s Regional Director for Cultural Affairs Allen Hauss said they have been honoured by the exhibition associated with Nizami Ganjavi being organized in Strasbourg, and this conference, attended by well-known scholars, once more proved that the poet’s works are studied all over the world.


Head of the Permanent Representative Office of Azerbaijan under the Council of Europe, Ambassador Emin Eyyubov, orientalists coming from US, Italy, Germany and other countries, and representatives of the Strasbourg general public attended the conference.


Participants of the event acquainted themselves with an exhibition devoted to the   life and creativity of Nizami Ganjavi. They were distributed works of the poet published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in various languages. 


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