Shaping the Words of a Culture

How can literature shape the voice of a people? How may it invite the rediscovery and reclamation of centuries’ old tradition while simultaneously orienting a nation towards an uncertain, though desperately future filled with hope? How might words, poems, stories, and songs reveal an identity long repressed, yet now bold enough to form itself anew?

It would not be a surprise if a similar strand of inquiry kept Heydar Aliyev company as he envisioned the future for his fledgling nation through a time of great tumult and transition. For he was no stranger to the significant role of the arts in sustaining, developing, and proliferating the merits of culture, particularly one with roots as deep as the literary arts of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s rich literary tradition dates back more than one thousand years, influenced by Persian, Arabic, Turkic, and Russian cultures, amongst many others. During the Soviet era, Azerbaijani literature was notably subject to censorship, and writers were pressured to conform to official political and cultural norms. Nevertheless, many Azerbaijani writers used their work to subtly and subversively disparage the Soviet regime and to promote more democratic and Azerbaijani‑centric ideals.

Astute in the many facets of societal, political, and cultural impact, Aliyev comprehended the critical role that literary expression played in the history of his country and, more importantly, should play in the future of the country he went on to build. He deeply understood how the literary arts had been instrumental to expressing collective identity, promoting cultural values, preserving traditions, and shaping social, spiritual, and political movements. Aliyev also appreciated the potential it had to offer in informing and influence the emerging yet wounded country’s step out from the suppressed shadow of the Soviet regime and into the light of a new day and a new chapter—one that was to be written by the people of Azerbaijan themselves.

Throughout his life in politics and leadership, Aliyev leveraged his position, influence, and power to specifically carve out space for the cultivation of uniquely Azerbaijani arts and practices

This essay explores the various ways in which Aliyev’s understanding of the vital cultural role of literature translated into his numerous initiatives to support, preserve, and promote Azerbaijani literary arts, many of which continue to ripple through to this day.

Shaping Culture and Identity

Throughout his life in politics and leadership, Aliyev leveraged his position, influence, and power to specifically carve out space for the cultivation of uniquely Azerbaijani arts and practices. His contributions significantly supported and encouraged the development and promotion of Azerbaijani poetry, literature, and the literary arts. His leadership played a vital role in preserving the literary heritage of Azerbaijan and in encouraging new writers to create works that would contribute to a new chapter in the country’s cultural identity.

This essay is intended to honor Aliyev’s rippling impact on these areas by examining the role he played in the promotion, preservation, and cultivation of Azerbaijani literary culture.

One of Heydar Aliyev’s most significant contributions to Azerbaijani literature was his effort to preserve the country’s literary heritage. He valued the importance of preserving the works of Azerbaijan’s literary legends, like Nizami Ganjavi, Fuzuli, and Nasimi, amongst others. He recognized that the preservation of these works served to set firm roots within the newly developing conscience of Azerbaijani identity, as separate from Soviet sensibilities and norms.

Through connecting with works that far preceded Soviet rule, Aliyev intended to place the Soviet era within a much broader timeline of Azerbaijani cultural existence. Doing so could thereby reduce the imprint of Soviet values, as the people of his country became more acquainted with, and thus prouder of, the significant Azerbaijani cultural moments that existed long before the imposition of Bolshevik rule. It also served Aliyev that many of these ancient Azerbaijani writers opposed regimes, like that of the Soviet Union, that denied individual differences and repressed impassioned expression, thereby stoking the fire of a developing and distinct identity.

Aliyev supported the restoration and renovation of historical literary landmarks, such as the Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature in Ganja, as well as the establishment of the National Literature Museum in Baku, which now houses a collection of more than 300,000 books, manuscripts, and other literary works.

The Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Azerbaijani literature, including poetry. It includes exhibitions on the history of Azerbaijani literature, as well as collections of works by Azerbaijani writers. The museum has played an important role in promoting Azerbaijani literature. And from the perspective of celebrating uniquely Azerbaijani arts and culture, its establishment was a rather significant achievement of Aliyev’s presidency and legacy.

Additionally, Aliyev recognized and valued the importance of encouraging new writers and poets to contribute to Azerbaijani literature and the developing Azerbaijani cultural identity. He established several literary awards, including what is now known as the Heydar Aliyev Prize for Literature, awarded annually to Azerbaijani writers for their contributions to literature. Of note, in addition to the prize money, winners also receive a publishing contract with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, helping to promote their work in Azerbaijan and well beyond its borders.

Aliyev’s leadership also prioritized the promotion of Azerbaijani artists on a global stage. This served to further solidify a sensibility and aesthetic that was uniquely Azerbaijani. To this end, his government promoted several literary events, such as book fairs and literary festivals, which helped to raise the profile of Azerbaijani literature. The Baku International Book Fair, for instance, which was first held in 1999, has become one of the largest literary events in the region, attracting publishers, writers, and literary scholars from around the world to Azerbaijan.

Critical to the sustained development of Azerbaijani literature and identity was Aliyev’s support for the translation of foreign literary works into Azerbaijani. During the two periods in which he led the country, numerous works of foreign literature were translated into Azerbaijani, which helped to expose Azerbaijani readers to a broader range of literary works and styles. This effort was also part of Aliyev’s broader goal of promoting cultural exchange and global understanding between Azerbaijan and other nations. The precedent this initiative set has continued to this day and has since evolved to prioritizing the translation of notable literary works in Azerbaijani to languages understood abroad.

Moreover, Aliyev’s contributions to Azerbaijani literature and poetry extended beyond the national borders of Azerbaijan. He recognized the importance of promoting Azerbaijani literature and poetry internationally and established several mechanisms of literary and cultural exchange with other countries. These exchanges enabled Azerbaijani writers and poets to share their works with a wider audience, promoting cross‑cultural understanding and dialogue.

Furthermore, during his presidency, Aliyev supported the establishment of several publishing houses and literary journals, which provided a platform for Azerbaijani writers to showcase their work. Aliyev recognized the importance of literary works in preserving and promoting Azerbaijani culture and heritage, and his support for writers was crucial in developing a diverse and vibrant literary scene in the country.

Aliyev keenly understood the importance of the literary arts in promoting, preserving, and proliferating an emerging Azerbaijani cultural identity that integrated history, heritage, and headway.

The Azerbaijani Writers’ Union was also greatly strengthened during Aliyev’s presidency, with the goal of more actively supporting and promoting Azerbaijani literature. The Union has played an important role in supporting writers in the country, including providing financial support for the publication of their work. This institution has also organized literary events and festivals, which have helped to raise the profile of Azerbaijani literature, both domestically and internationally. Here too,  Aliyev keenly understood the importance of the literary arts in promoting, preserving, and proliferating an emerging Azerbaijani cultural identity that integrated history, heritage, and headway

Aliyev recognized the particular importance of poetry to the developing cultural identity of his country and its people.

In a more specific vein, Aliyev’s contributions to Azerbaijani literature had a profound impact on poetry in the region. As any literary scholar (or perhaps even pedestrian) in Azerbaijan can attest, poetry has played a profound, even vital role in Azerbaijani literature since its very inception. As a writer himself, Aliyev recognized the particular importance of poetry to the developing cultural identity of his country and its people. He supported the work of established poets and encouraged the development of new poets. The aforementioned Heydar Aliyev Prize for Literature has since been awarded to several poets, including Vagif Samadoglu, who was recognized for his significant contributions to the long canon of Azerbaijani poetry.

His legacy has been carried forth since his passing in 2003 through the establishment of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which continues to support and sustain the development of Azerbaijani poetry, as well as countless other art forms.

Aliyev, himself, played a rather notable role in sustaining Azerbaijani poetry. Throughout his lifetime of public service, Aliyev supported the establishment of several literary foundations and organizations. During his presidency, he established several foundations and grants, which have provided financial and moral support to poets and other artists in the country. These have also supported the publication of countless books and collections of poems, ensuring that the literary arts of Azerbaijan thrive ever further. This legacy has been carried forth since his passing in 2003 through the establishment of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which continues to support and sustain the development of Azerbaijani poetry, as well as countless other art forms.

Aliyev’s support for poetry was not limited to the establishment of cultural institutions. He was also a writer himself and published several collections of writings during his lifetime. These have been widely read and appreciated, and he, too, has been recognized as a noteworthy literary figure in the tapestry of Azerbaijani writers.

Aliyev began writing poetry at a young age, and his works were first published in various Azerbaijani literary magazines in the 1940s and 1950s. One of his earliest poems, “Azerbaijan,” was written in 1945, and was a celebration of the beauty of Azerbaijan's landscapes, culture, and people.

Aliyev’s poetry has since been published in various collections, including Selected Works (1979), Inexhaustible Source (1997), and Heydar Aliyev: Poems (2004). Much of his poetry is characterized by its patriotic themes, as he often wrote about the history and traditions of Azerbaijan. His literary works often reflected a deep veneration for his country, its people, and its enduring culture. Aliyev’s writing style was characterized by simplicity and powerful imagery. Additionally, he dedicated time to writing essays and articles; he wrote extensively on topics related to Azerbaijani ethos, history, and politics, as well as on issues of global consequence that were emerging at an especially pivotal and prospectively prolific moment in the history of his country.

Additionally, Aliyev’s poetry was known for its emotive language and its ability to evoke a sense of national pride and unity among Azerbaijanis. His poems often celebrated the natural beauty of Azerbaijan, its cultural heritage, and the resilience and determination of its people—all themes essential to crafting a national identity resilient enough to endure the tumult and trials of the first years as a reborn, independent nation. One such poem—titled “My Azerbaijan”—continues to be read widely through the country and has served a symbol of national pride in Azerbaijan.

Furthermore, Aliyev’s support for the literary arts extended beyond poetry and literature to other forms of artistic expression. During his presidency, he recognized the importance of art and culture in the development of Azerbaijani society, and he supported the establishment of several cultural institutions, including what would become the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Baku. The center includes galleries for contemporary art, music and dance studios, and other facilities for cultural events and activities.

Aliyev also recognized the potential of modern technologies for telling the story of Azerbaijani reclamation and encouraged the development of new literary forms such as cinema and television. Heydar’s support for the film industry in Azerbaijan led to the production of several critically acclaimed motion pictures and helped to elevate the country’s budding film industry.

As a patron of the arts, Aliyev also provided financial support to artists in Azerbaijan. He established several scholarships and grants to support young artists in the country. This support was crucial in enabling many artists to pursue their work and develop their skills, contributing to the growth of the artistic community in Azerbaijan and thus the expressive voice of its people.

In addition to his support for individual artists, Aliyev also placed great importance on preserving and promoting virtually all other aspects of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage. For instance, he supported the establishment of several museums and cultural institutions, including the National Museum of Azerbaijani Carpets and the Museum of Mugham. These institutions continue to play an important role in preserving traditional Azerbaijani art forms for the generations to come and making them accessible to a wider and more international audience.

A Legacy Sustained

Carrying the torch forward, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was established in 2004 as a private charitable organization dedicated to promoting culture, education, and social welfare. The Foundation has been instrumental in supporting the literary arts of Azerbaijan, including literature and poetry, through various initiatives and programs. 

One of the primary ways in which the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has supported the literary arts of Azerbaijan is by publishing books and collections of poetry. Since its inception, the Foundation has published over 500 books on various topics, including literature and poetry, primarily in Azerbaijani and Russian, but also English and other languages. Among its many other activities, both at home and abroad, the Foundation provides funding and logistical support to writers and poets to publish their works, thus providing a platform for emerging writers and poets to showcase their talent and further the promotion of a uniquely Azerbaijani voice.

In addition to publishing books and collections of poetry, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has established several literary events and festivals. One such event is the “Days of Azerbaijani Literature” festival, which takes place annually in various cities of Azerbaijan. This festival brings together writers, poets, and literary scholars from around the world to share their works, discuss their craft, and promote Azerbaijani literature and poetry internationally.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has also established several literary awards to recognize and encourage excellence in Azerbaijani literature and poetry. As noted above, one such award is the Heydar Aliyev Prize for Literature, which is awarded annually to a writer or poet for his or her significant contribution to Azerbaijani literature. The Foundation also sponsors the “Golden Pen” award, which recognizes emerging writers and poets for their talent and potential.

Heydar Aliyev’s contributions to the literary arts and culture of Azerbaijan set the stage for the emergence of a uniquely Azerbaijani identity— one that honored the heritage of its history and traditions, acknowledged the difficulties endured over the past century, and stepped into the possibility of a future that is still very much unfolding.

And so, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has continued its namesake’s legacy by making significant contributions to the literary arts of Azerbaijan, including literature and poetry, through various initiatives and programs. These efforts have helped to promote and preserve Azerbaijani culture, heritage, and identity, while also ensuring that the literary arts of Azerbaijan continue to serve as an essential element in shaping a uniquely Azerbaijani consciousness, formed by diverse voices, perspectives, and approaches, though all unified under a shared identity.

Unique Identity

Heydar Aliyev’s contributions to the literary arts and culture of Azerbaijan set the stage for the emergence of a uniquely Azerbaijani identity—one that honored the heritage of its history and traditions, acknowledged the difficulties endured over the past century, and stepped into the possibility of a future that is still very much unfolding. Aliyev’s initiatives to preserve, promote, and proliferate the country’s literary legacy, encourage new writers, and sponsor literary events has helped to develop and elevate the profile of Azerbaijani literature, both nationally and internationally. His leadership played a foundational role in cultivating an environment amenable to literary expression, cultural veneration, and identity formation.

As writers Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen so aptly put it, “Art creates culture, culture creates community, and community creates humanity.” Aliyev’s far‑reaching support for the arts enabled many artists, writers, and poets to pursue their artistic callings and thereby contribute to the development and growth of culture, community, identity, and perhaps most importantly, humanity in his country of Azerbaijan.

Have those questions that once kept Aliyev company so many years ago found their answers in all that has unfolded since? Perhaps. Or perhaps, they have evolved to embrace the distinct contexts of a country and a world now 30 years later—questions intricately woven into the impact of words and the arts in further shaping the culture, identity, and humanity of Aliyev’s greatest work, Azerbaijan.