Inclusion of the copy of the manuscript of Mahammad Fuzuli’s “divan” to the International Register of the Memory of the World programme is a remarkable event for Azerbaijan

On May 30, at the Institute of Manuscripts of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) a presentation ceremony was held regarding Inclusion of the copy of the manuscript of Mahammad Fuzuli’s “divan” to the International Register of the Memory of the World programme.

Speaking at the event, president of ANAS, academician Akif Alizadeh assessed the inclusion of the poet's copy of the manuscript “Divan" to the International Register of the Memory of the World programme as a significant event for Azerbaijan.

Academician A.Alizadeh underlined the special attention of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva to the promotion and introduction of the rich cultural heritage of our country in the world.

Speaking about the great contribution of the poet to the treasury of the world culture, the head of ANAS said that this work is considered to be the most prominent Turkic (Azerbaijani) version of Fuzuli, the Baku manuscript which is copied 16 years after the poet's death in 1572. It was noted that in 1936 manuscript donated by prominent literary scholar Salman Mumtaz to the library of the Azerbaijani branch of the former USSR Academy of Sciences.

A.Alizade emphasized the importance of inclusion other Azerbaijani thinkers in the International Register of the Memory of the World programme.

Vice-President of ANAS, academician Isa Habibbayli said that the inclusion of the copy of M.Fuzuli’s manuscript to the Memory of the World International Register is a very important historical, cultural event for our people and Azerbaijan’s scientific community.

Academician said: "The presence of the great poet's manuscript in the “UNESCO Memory of the World International Register is an important step that confirms Fuzuli's art as a global literary asset. Inclusion of the manuscript in this authoritative organization is one of the arguments that illustrate the importance of Fuzuli to humanity as well as the role of the great poet in today's world culture. This is of great importance for Azerbaijan, as well. Inclusion of the copy of Fuzuli's manuscript to the Memory of the World International Register as an example of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage is an important event which confirms that the outstanding poet belongs to our people. This will prove the balance of views on the fact that Fuzuli belongs to our people in the international arena and in subsequent processes for the Azerbaijan. Fuzuli, is one of the great luminaries of world literature, whose heritage is a common literary-cultural treasure of all Turkic nations. But his homeland is Azerbaijan. In our country, since the beginning of the twentieth century valuable monographs have been made and dissertations have been written about the work of the great poet and poet's works have been published in many copies in our country many times.The works of the great thinker have been translated into world languages and distributed in Azerbaijan.

Secretary General of the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, Elnur Sultanov said that National Leader Heydar Aliyev has always appreciated Fuzuli's creativity, which enriches the world culture and literature. He noted that in 1996, the 500th anniversary of the poet's birth was celebrated in the framework of the UNESCO programme on anniversaries of eminent personalities and historic events. Saying that today's presentation ceremony coincides with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), E.Sultanov noted that great attention paid to M.Fuzuli and his creative activity during the ADR period.

It was noted that the First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva has exceptional services in promoting the rich cultural heritage of Azerbaijan in the world and inclusion of our heritage samples in the UNESCO list. Today, Azerbaijan closely cooperates with UNESCO in all its priority fields. Our country also participates successfully in the UNESCO Memory of the World Program. UNESCO Memory of the World International Register includes two valuable works of Azerbaijan. The manuscript of this poet's "Divan" is dated to 1572 and contains more than 400 poems written in our mother language. This famous work by M.Fuzuli has been appreciated by UNESCO and its importance to humanity is confirmed by the certificate signed by the Director-General of the organization.

Then E. Sultanov presented UNESCO certificate to academician A.Alizadeh.

Academician-secretary of ANAS Department of Humanities, director of the Institute of Manuscripts, academician Teymur Karimli, gave information about M. Fuzuli's rich literary-philosophical heritage, said that the poet's creativity is important for the Eastern poetry as well as for the world literature. T. Kerimli emphasized that "Leyli and Majnun" written by the poet is a work of culture and ethics.

Director of the Nizami Ganjavi National Museum of Azerbaijan Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi, academician Rafael Huseynov called the inclusion of one of Azerbaijan's classical wealth as one of the masterpieces of the world heritage in UNESCO list is a great achievement. It was noted that the relations of Azerbaijan with UNESCO began in the early 90s’ of the last century. Close cooperation of our country with this authoritative organization began in 1996 after signing an agreement on cooperation between UNESCO and Azerbaijan.

Academician noted that First Vice President Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva has exceptional services in Azerbaijan for UNESCO self-approval. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva has great services in the promotion of our cultural heritage as well as international recognition of the Gobustan State Historical and Artistic Preservation in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The speakers noted that this remarkable event is of great importance for the country's culture and science.