Azerbaijani literature originates from the very inception of the state. The works of early writers use the languages ​​of the Ogur subgroups: Turkic, Caucasian and other dialects. At first, Azerbaijani literature and poetry did not have their own written language and existed only verbally. The ancestor of Azerbaijani literature is considered the heroic epic of an unknown author about grandfather Korkuda.
"The book of my grandfather Korkuda"
Today it’s hard to say who owns this work. It was recorded around the 9th century, and acquired print form only by the 14th century. “Kitabi dede Korkud” is a complex poetic work, consisting of an introduction and 18 legends, divided into two parts (Dresden and Vatican). Each part has its own plot and the same characters. She is called the Azerbaijani version of Homer's Iliad.
The main characters are Oguz Khan Bayandur and his sons. The first legend is fully devoted to the praise of the great commander, his skills and strength are praised as divine. Most of the work tells about the structure of the Oguz tribes, their traditions and folk tales. The names of many ancient settlements of Azerbaijan are also mentioned : cities, fortresses, fortifications and villages.
Molla Wagif Panah
The poet who brought Azerbaijani literature to a new level. One of the founders of the oriental style, Vagif Molla Panah was born around 1717 in the small settlement of Hasanusu, near the regional center of Aktafa. Some sources contradict this information and call the city of Salahli the historical homeland of Panah.
From an early age, an Azerbaijani poet began to learn languages. He perfectly mastered the Arabic and Persian languages. In addition to his main activities, he was engaged in astronomy and space exploration. Due to the outbreak of civil strife, he was forced to leave his hometown and move to the Khanate of Karabakh. Since the poet was extremely educated, he began teaching and opened his own school in the city of Shusha. By 1770 he was noticed by the Karabakh khan Mirza Jamal and took on the service as a vizier.
Throughout his life, the Azerbaijani poet and writer was engaged in the construction and maintenance of schools and hospitals, and paid great attention to creative activities. In 1797, a violent change of power took place, and the great poet was executed. He left behind a huge cultural heritage, forever writing his name in history.
An Azerbaijani poet entered history as a khan of poets. In his works, he raised topics about the hopelessness of human status, the relationship of good and evil.
See, look at the stale hearts
And for the time that rushes forward endlessly, look!
To the fate that the villain suddenly razed to the ground,
And look at righteous anger, at the right hand of the creator!
The impotence of the one whose lamp died out by morning
And yesterday I called the worship of a flatterer - look!
And on this arrogant head that fell to dust
She no longer has to wear a golden crown - look!
To the one who ordered me to be executed without mercy,
Look at the one who turned him into a dead man!
For a grave board you need four nails to check,
Look at the one who saved the blacksmith from death!
Let the Aga Muhammad serve as an example of a fall,
The magnificent walls of the palace have been emptied - look!
Do not look at your girlfriend and friend, at your son and daughter.
Look at the creator of the almighty, as at a father!
O Waghif, before your eyes the Prophet Muhammad
Look at the chosen one of God and the sage!
Seyid Azim Shirvani
One of the best poets of the dawn of Azerbaijani culture, Seyid Azim Shirvani was born on May 9, 1835 in the city of Shemakha. His parents were spiritual figures and were engaged in a child from early childhood. But later he became interested in secular issues, which made him an ardent opponent of the entire Azerbaijani clergy. The poet received higher education in Baghdad, after which he went to Egypt.
The famous Azerbaijani poet began his activity with the foundation of the literary association "House of the Pure", gathering around him the most progressive and educated representatives of the culture of that time. Among the works are noted works in the classical genres for the East: rubyi, marsii, kysydy. Of great importance to contemporaries are his parables and teachings: many writers of our day still consider him their teacher. He often used satire and harsh social humor in his works. The most famous and quoted works are considered: "Satan", "Bribe to God", "Funeral of the dog", "Skupets". Poems of an Azerbaijani poet in Russian are widely popular.
One prankster joker
He said, laughing in his heart:
“I had a strange dream.
Tell me: "Good morning!"
“Well then, in the good hour,
My dearest man! ”
“So know: in your house
I ate a churek in a dream! ”
From horror in sweat
The mean man hurries home
Came in and got divorced
With a scared wife.
Learning about kazi
Spoken: “Having driven out his wife,
You may be right
But prove the blame! ”
“O righteous kazi,
So-and-so, nameless,
Dare in my house
Devour Churek in a dream!
I can not forgive;
My soul is on fire!
I pray for my wife
In everything like me.
So that I can save my house
More reliable than a castle
So that my bread and in a dream
No one could find!
Otherwise, it will fly away
Like fluff, my goodness.
Reel! That’s why
I punished her! ”
Huseyn Abdullah oglu Rasizade (Huseyn Javid)
The brightest representative of Azerbaijani romanticism. He was a prominent literary figure of the twentieth century, popular around the world. Serious problems of those times are raised in his works. In the poetry of Hussein Javid, a line of humanism and philosophical reflection on peace and war can be traced. He described the destruction that his homeland suffered as "black hell" and "monstrous noise." The contrast of the two eras in which he lived was described in the works “Devil”, “Khayyam”, “Siyavush”:
And for the poet the pitch day has come,
Moloch took it as a victim to himself
He closed the unfortunate mortal canopy,
The soul ascended to the eternal pedestal.
Leaving the ill-fated, cold Magadan,
Your native Nakhichevan has embraced your ashes.
An Azerbaijani poet was born on October 24, 1882 in Nakhichevan. Love for folk art was transmitted to him from his grandfather, who, although he was engaged in tillage, he loved poetry very much. In his family there were many educated people - each of the seven brothers was engaged in educational activities.
The poet was an ardent revolutionary. This was the cause of death - after the arrest, Huseyn Javid was shot. After himself, he left many works, contemporaries call him the most influential writer-revolutionary of the East. Poems of the Azerbaijani poet in Russian are still very popular.
Samed Yusif oglu Vekilov (Samed Vurgun)
Poet, engaged in his activities during the Soviet Union. Known for being a co-author of the anthem of the Azerbaijan SSR. He was a member of the Central Committee of the CPSU, the first People's Poet of Azerbaijan and the winner of two Stalin Prizes in the field of literature for the works "Komsomol Poem", "Riot", "Dead Love" and "Hangman".
Hurry people around
involved in a whirlpool
forgotten as in their souls
there are no places for personal worries.
The author was born in Yukhary Salahli (Kazakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan). The poet lost his mother early, he was only six years old. This sad moment will be reflected in future works of Samad Vurgun. After leaving school he entered seminary, then became a teacher. For a long time he was teaching at school and university. He traveled to Cuba, where he continued to engage in creative and educational activities.
In the work of Samed Vurkhun, the Great Patriotic War occupied a key role. Thanks to works on this subject, he was awarded many awards, received recognition from the Soviet people and authorities.
Ramiz Mammadali oglu Rovshan
The most famous Azerbaijani film playwright, translator and writer of our time. He created many scientific and literary works, essays, poems. In 1981, he joined the Azerbaijan Writers Union, where he continues to this day. During his life, he published only two collections of poems: "Breath" and "The sky does not hold a stone." Mostly known as a playwright and director.
The poet was born after the war, in 1946. Now he is 71 years old, but he continues to engage in social activities. At home, he is known for his translations. Thanks to him, Azerbaijan knows about Yesenin, Mayakovsky and Tsvetaeva. According to his own works, many films were shot.
I do not hope for people
Creator is higher than hypocrites
Standing above all deaths
Suddenly he will remember - I will appear again in the world.
Toy broken in hell
I’ll fall into his hands
He will heal me dumb
And again I’ll fill in the song.
The Azerbaijani poet gained fame far beyond the borders of his native land. His poems are published in many languages ​​of the world - the works of Ramiz Rovshan are printed on the territory of the former USSR, USA and in Germany. Poems of the Azerbaijani poet in Russian are published in several editions.