November 12, 2013

An exhibition devoted to the creativity of great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi is held in Paris

An exhibition devoted to the life and creativity of great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi was held at the Museum of Letters and Manuscripts in Paris, with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and assistance by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France, November 12.

 

Founder and President of the Museum Gérard Lhéritier said he was proud of an exhibition devoted to the life and creativity of great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi being held at the  establishment headed by him.

 

The Museum’s authorized representative Pascal Fulacher said he regretted that a world-renowned poet such as Nizami Ganjavi was little known to the French. P.Fulacher mentioned that the poet’s “Divan”, in which over 20 thousand of his poems are collected, is very well known in Eastern countries, his works touched upon social problems, and  praised love and beauty.

 

Bringing to attention that the “Khamsa”, which includes five poems of the poet, is known to the world as “Five Treasures”, and that the school of literature established by Nizami Ganjavi has had significant influence on the Indian, Persian, Afghan, Turkish, Uzbek and other Turkic nations’ literature, P.Fulacher emphasized that manuscripts  of a great master of word are preserved at the world’s influential museums and libraries, including libraries and museums of Istanbul, Teheran, Cairo, Saint-Petersburg, London, Paris and Berlin.

 

Pascal Fulacher noted the significance of the exhibition organized at the museum in terms of promoting humanist philosopher and poet Nizami Ganjavi in France, as well as bringing the Western and Eastern cultures closer.

 

In his speech, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to France Elchin Amirbayov said Azerbaijan’s philosopher of genius and great poet Nizami Ganjavi, one of the brightest persons of the Eastern renaissance and of the humanity, has left a matchless legacy in literature. The diplomat said, despite living eight centuries ago, the poet’s ideas have preserved its urgency to date.

 

Underlining the ideas of freedom, equality and brotherhood, as well as equality between men and women that the poet had once reflected in his works are forming the foundation of significant events in the contemporary time too, the Ambassador brought to attention that recollection of Nizami Ganjavi and his legacy is highly valued today in Azerbaijan. The diplomat emphasized that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which is headed by Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, has played a special part in translating works by Nizami Ganjavi into various languages.

 

E. Amirbayov recalled that on the occasion of the 850^th anniversary of Nizami Ganjavi, the year 1991 had been declared the Year of Nizami Ganjavi, and that a bust of the poet was erected in Rome in 2012, and gave information with regard to a series of events to be held in France on the occasion of the 870^th anniversary of the eminent maser of word, with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

 

Concluding his speech, the Ambassador said the carpets, items of adornment and garments being displayed at the exhibition along with photos showing the past and present of Ganja, the homeland of the poet, reflected the time when Atabeys and Shirvanshahs had ruled during Nizami Ganjavi’s time.

 

At the ceremony, also speeches by Senator Pierre Bourdieu and academic of the French Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations Aygun Eyyubova were heard.

 

Photos of Ganja city’s old and contemporary views, busts and monuments erected in different places, the poet’s mausoleum, as well as scientific and cultural establishments named after the poet, carpets with illustrations from his works, garments related to the poet’s time, items of pottery and coppersmithery were displayed at the exhibition.

 

Books and booklets talking of Nizami Ganjavi’s life and creativity were distributed among guests.