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The presentation of the "Ilyas Efendiyev. Looking Back"  photo album was held on May 25,  dedicated to the outstanding representative of Azerbaijani literature of the 20th century, people's writer Ilyas Efendiyev, published jointly by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Library.

Director of the National Library Professor Karim Tahirov opened the event and greeted the guests. He said that today we have gathered at the National Library for a very nice event - in the light of Ilyas Efendiyev, a great dramatist and People's writer, who has a special place in the history of Azerbaijani literature and has become a classic since his years. The book that we present today contains the most memorable moments of the long and glorious life of Ilyas Efendiyev, a classic of the 20th century Azerbaijani literature, the opinions of prominent art and culture figures, and close friends about the artist, interesting memories, poems dedicated to the writer by well-known poets. Photographs of works written by the writer  in different years and staged with the participation of famous actors and directors are given.The publication also reflects the opinions of prominent writers about their contemporaries. He said that we chose the name of the photo album "Looking Back" inspired by the titles of Ilyas Efendiyev's works "Don't look back, old man" and "It's worth looking back". K. Tahirov emphasized that it was our Great Leader Heydar Aliyev who attached the greatest importance to the work of Ilyas Efendiyev, and these valuable ideas were also reflected in the photo album.

During his speech, the director emphasized that the creativity of teacher Ilyas is eternal because the history, culture, traditions, and national-spiritual values of Azerbaijan are vividly depicted in his works. Also, he emphasized that the theater school created by the outstanding dramatist produced several actors and directors, and today his son Elchin Efendiyev is successfully continuing this tradition. At the end of his speech, K. Tahirov emphasized that even, if time changes, the works written by teacher Ilyas will always be read and will not lose their value.

Anar Karimov, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, opened the event and said that today is a very significant day. So, on the eve of the birthday of Ilyas Efendiyev, one of the most prominent representatives of Azerbaijani literature, People's writer who has exceptional services in the development of Azerbaijan's history, ideology, and national identity, "Ilyas Efendiyev" relives the interesting moments of the great artist's life and creativity with the language of photographs. We gathered at the presentation ceremony of the photo album "Looking back". Ilyas Efendiyev is a person who has left a very important legacy for Azerbaijani literature. During the Soviet ideology, he reflected the issues of Azerbaijanism and national identity in his works. Today, his works have played an important role in the development of our youth in the spirit of national identity and patriotism.

The minister emphasized that Ilyas Efendiyev's creativity is known not only in Azerbaijan, but worldwide. Honorable Mr. President Ilham Aliyev has also given great value to Ilyas Efendiyev's work and signed decrees on the widespread celebration of his 90th and 100th anniversaries at UNESCO and at the country level. He noted that it is very proud that Ilyas Efendiyev's name was included in the list of outstanding personalities of UNESCO.

The minister said that Great Leader Heydar Aliyev highly appreciated the work of Ilyas Efendiyev, a classic of Azerbaijani literature of the 20th century, People's writer, and participated in the premiere of his plays performed on the stage of the National Drama Theater many times. It is no coincidence that the new season is opened every year at the National Drama Theater with the play "Karabkhname" based on the play "Hokmdar va gizi" written by him. In the end, the Minister noted that I am proud that there were prominent figures like Ilyas Efendiyev in the history of Azerbaijani literature.

Vice-president of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, member of the Milli Mejlis, academician Isa Habibbeyli said that Azerbaijani literature can be divided into two parts according to researchers: "Azerbaijani Soviet literature" and "Azerbaijani literature of the Soviet era". It is Ilyas Efendiyev who is a prominent representative of Azerbaijani literature of the Soviet era. Ideas such as socialism and realism, which were fundamental in the Soviet era, were far from his works. Although Soviet literature was built on optimistic notes, Ilyas Efendiyev's works had both optimistic and negative notes. Ilyas Efendiyev was a personality ahead of his time.The lyrical-psychological approach occupies a special place in Ilyas Efendiyev's work. The academic noted that when talking about the work of Ilyas Efendiyev, Great Leader, he especially emphasized the reflection of historical stages in his works. At the end of his speech, the academician who expressed his opinion about the book emphasized that Mr. Karim collected new posters in this book by conducting serious research work, and the photo album was presented with strict scientific classification. And for the first time, Ilyas Efendiyev's approach to his contemporaries is reflected here.

Rector of Uzeyir Hajibeyli Baku Music Academy, People's Artist Farhad Badalbeyli made a speech and expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Library for organizing such an event. Today is a great holiday, as we have gathered for the presentation of such a well-designed photo album book about the outstanding writer. F. Badalbeyli shared his memories about Ilyas Efendiyev and said that we have always wanted the Azerbaijani theater to be modern and we have achieved it precisely thanks to the works of Ilyas Efendiyev. Later, he talked about the events held by the president of the Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation, Gunay Efendiyeva, in relation to Turkic-speaking countries, and wished her success.

Chairman of the Union of Artists, People's Artist Farhad Khalilov made a speech and said that today we have gathered for a remarkable event - the presentation of the photo album book published about Ilyas Efendiyev. He emphasized that everyone knows Ilyas Efendiyev, the value of his contributions to Azerbaijani literature and theater is immeasurable. As long as Azerbaijan stands, the memory of Ilyas Efendiyev will always live. Member of Milli Majlis, People's Poet Sabir Rustamkhanli made a speech and said that the photo album book presented today is a gift and a contribution to our literary life as a whole. Teacher Ilyas is a person who created a school both in our literature and in our theater. He emphasized that teacher Elchin continues his path. S. Rustamkhanli noted that Ilyas Efendiyev did not bend to the students of the time, but built his creativity with his own set of lines. Prominent dramatist Ilyas Efendiyev created a new trend in Azerbaijani literature. Bringing the history of Azerbaijan and women's freedom to our literature, he gave more space to female protagonists in his works.

In the continuation of the event, People's poet Ramiz Rovshan, People's artist, director Merahim Farzalibayov, actress of the Academic National Drama Theater, Honored artist Mesma Aslangizi, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, People's writer Anar Rzayev, President of the Turkish Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Efendiyeva, People's artist Basti Jafarova, National Assembly member Vugar Iskanderov, director of the Institute of Manuscripts of ANAS, academician Teymur Karimli, professor Rustam Kamal; Member of Azerbaijan Writers' Union, publicist Seyran Sakhavat, member of Milli Mejlis, Honored journalist Agil Abbas, etc. they spoke about the multifaceted creativity of the prominent dramatist Ilyas Efendiyev.

During the event, the electronic database "The phenomenon of our artistic history- People's writer Ilyas Efendiyev" (http://anl.az/el/emb/I.Efendiyev/index.html) prepared by the staff of the National Library was also presented. It was noted that the Electronic database consists of sections such as "Official documents"; "Artist's right to live"; "Main dates of life and activities"; " Prominent persons’ thoughts about Ilyas Efendiyev"; "Wise Sayings"; "Thoughts about literary and cultural figures"; "Works"; "About"; "Rewards"; "Perpetuating his memory"; "Filmography"; It "Photo gallery" and "Video gallery".

Then the chairman of Azerbaijan Writers' Union, People's Writer Anar Rzayev presented the "Ilyas Efendiyev Award" to Agil Abbas, member of Milli Mejlis, Honored Journalist.

At the end of the event, People's writer Elchin Efendiyev spoke on behalf of the famous dramatist's family and expressed his deep gratitude to the Ministry of Culture and the National Library of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the publication of the photo album and the organization of the event. And he expressed his gratitude to Ms. Sevil Ismayilova, the director of the "Sharq-Garb" publishing house, who contributed to the publication of the photo album.

At the end, the guests got acquainted with a large book exhibition called "People's Writer Ilyas Efendiyev" containing the works of the famous writer and dramatist Ilyas Efendiyev.