An exhibition devoted to the life and creativity of Azerbaijani poet of genius Nizami Ganjavi opens in Strasbourg
An exhibition devoted to the life and creativity of Azerbaijani poet of genius Nizami Ganjavi opened at “Rhine Palace” in Strasbourg, with organizational support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and assistance by Azerbaijan’s Embassy in France, November 19.
Host Allen Tremoliere mentioned that the exhibition organized in Strasbourg, the symbolic capital of Europe, was devoted to the 870th anniversary of Azerbaijani genius of poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi, and that the poet’s manuscripts are preserved at various museums and libraries of the world, including the National Library and University of Strasbourg. Recalling that in addition to being a poet, Nizami Ganjavi had also learned astronomy, chemistry, history, medicine and other sciences, A. Tremoliere said the ideas of a poet, who had lived eight centuries ago, have so far not lost their urgency.
Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to France Elchin Amirbeyov said that the “Khamsa”, which includes five poems of Nizami Ganjavi, who had lived in the 12th – 13th centuries, has kept its urgency to date, and underlined that the poet’s eternal ideas are guiding the mankind.
The Ambassador has mentioned also that the poet’s universal ideas concerning secularism, equality between men and women, along with those concerning freedom, equality and brotherhood, have lived centuries-long, and that the Western society has been built on these principles.
Drawing attention to the fact that the poet’s manuscripts are preserved at well-known libraries of the world, the Ambassador said a mausoleum had been erected to Nizami Ganjavi in his native city Ganja, the Literature Museum in Baku was called by his name, President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree to celebrate his 870th anniversary, and that his memory is recalled in a number of foreign countries.
E.Amirbeyov emphasized also the great role Mehriban Aliyeva, Azerbaijan’s First Lady and the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, played in reprinting of Nizami Ganjavi’s works and translation thereof into different languages.
Mentioning that the project “The Universal Bridge Linking the 12th and 21st Centuries - Nizami Ganjavi’s (1141-1209) work” was realized due to joint partnership of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France, the Regional Directorate of Alsace for Cultural Affairs, the Strasbourg University and National Library, the diplomat said the exhibition will last three months.
Head of Alsace Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs Alan Hoss and administrator of the Strasbourg University and National Library Alber Puaro in their speeches talked of the world fame of and the contributions the Azerbaijani poet and philosopher made to enrichment of human ideas.
Photos showing Nizami Ganjavi’s life and creativity, the past and present of the city he was born in, and various illustrations, samples of pottery and coppersmithery, as well as garments and items of adornment are displayed at the exhibition.
In a concert program, which took place after the exhibition, romances and popular songs composed by Azerbaijani composers to lyrics by Nizami Ganjavi were performed, accompanied by the State Popular Music Instruments Ensemble of Azerbaijan under direction of Professor Aghaverdi Pashayev, and couplets from the poet’s poems in French were said.
The exhibition and concert was attended by officials of the Alsace region, representatives of city society, heads of permanent representatives of a number of countries under the Council of Europe, members of diplomatic corps accredited in Strasbourg, Diaspora representatives and students.
