Islamabad, 15 December 2021 (TDI): The Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov participated in the Seminar on the 880th Anniversary of Nizami Ganjavi. The Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, and the Riphah Institute of Public Policy Riphah International University; organized the Seminar, on 14 December.
Seminar on “Nizami Ganjavi-A Revolutionary, Visionary Poet & Philosopher”
Farhadov gave a speech during the Seminar on the Azerbaijani Poet, Nizami Ganjavi. First, Farhadov thanked the organizers of the event for the Seminar and his invitation to participate.
Then the Ambassador mentioned that the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev, signed an Order to declare 2021; the year of Nizami Ganjavi. The reason is that in 2021 Azerbaijan celebrates the 880th Anniversary of the legendary poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi.
Connection of Nizami to Ganja and Historical Background
Farhadov also mentioned that Nizami’s work is an integral part of the spirituality of Azerbaijan for more than eight centuries. He remarked that the life and literary activity of Ganjavi has a strong connection with Ganja; the capital of the Azerbaijani Atabey’s state.
The Ambassador then stated that Ganja was also the largest city of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus, and also an important cultural center of the Middle East. Ganjavi’s work enriched Eastern artistic thinking with scientific and philosophical thoughts. According to Farhadov, Ganjavi raised his work to unprecedented heights.
Farhadov then referred to Nizami’s famous Khamsa, and that it stands at the peak of the search for spiritual riches of mankind. Khamsa also occupies its place among the masterpieces of world literature.
Furthermore, the Ambassador stated that his work opened a new page in the annals of artistic thought of mankind; and that it still serves the incomparable service to the spiritual and moral perfection of people. Nizami created a literary school distinguished by its traditions.
Farhadov mentioned that Ganjavi’s work, adorn the richest libraries worldwide; and that it gave impetus to the development of art in the East, especially miniature art. Nizami’s legacy has been in the spotlight of world scientific and literary thought.
National Leader Heydar Aliyev Decision regarding Nizami’s work
According to Farhadov, Nizami’s work has been repeatedly published in Azerbaijan; and a lot of work has been done in the field of studying and promoting his literary heritage. They have also taken measures to perpetuate his memory. Then in the 1970s, a new stage began in Azerbaijan regarding the study of their cultural heritage.
He then referred that stage has a connection with the national leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev. According to Ambassador Farhadov, Azerbaijan adopted a decision, on the initiative of Heydar Aliyev, in January 1979. The objective of the decision was to implement measures to further improve the study, publication, and promotion of Nizami Ganjavi heritage.
Ambassador Farhadov then mentioned that the decision set complex tasks, and opened up broad prospects for systematic research. Later in 1981, the Government decided to mark the 840th Anniversary of Nizami’s birth, and also a turning point in the studies of his work.
He remarked that the Institute of Literature of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and the National Museum of Azerbaijani received their name after Nizami Ganjavi. Ambassador Farhadov also stated that Nizami’s literary heritage and school are relevant in the context of the requirements of modern humanitarian thought.
The richness of Nizami’s work and dedication to issues
According to Ambassador Farhadov, with the celebration of the “Year of Nizami Ganjavi”, Azerbaijan takes into account the importance of the rich creativity of the powerful master of words. That creativity always calls people to moral perfection and instills high spiritual qualities, to be an achievement of human culture.
Regarding his poetry, his work is rich with content and has a depth of ideas. For example, the poet’s socio-philosophical poems reflect his thoughts on several issues. The speech mentioned that those issues were in society, individuals, the environment, science, and religion.
In his speech, Farhadov mentioned that is because some of Nizami’s ghazals have a dedication to social, philosophical, and moral issues. It is important to mention that Nizami also wrote rubai on various topics.
The Ambassador appreciated the Seminar, in terms of promoting, and studying the legacy of Nizami in Pakistan. Regarding this, Farhadov highlighted the necessity for studying the literature of Azerbaijan and Pakistan between the youth of both countries. According to Farhadov, it is necessary because the youth should study, learn, contribute and promote the rich culture, literature, and heritage of Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
Pakistani Poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal
He then drew attention that the work of the Great Pakistani Poet, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, has also been the object of study in Azerbaijan; for many years. Farhadov mentioned that this year, the Institute of Literature named after Nizami of ANAS and the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan published a selection of works from Iqbal.
The Ambassador also mentioned another project that took place during 2021. The “Reconstruction of Islamic thought” of Iqbal, at the initiative of the World Turkic Academy; was translated into Azerbaijani and published.
Final Statement from the Ambassador
Finally, Farhadov stressed that these kinds of events; and activities are the real demonstrations of their commitment. According to Farhadov that commitment is to promote the culture, and literature of the two brotherly countries.
