ABOUT THE IWAB PROJECT

A few words on the project “Introducing the World to Azerbaijani Books” (IWAB) of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Initiated by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the project “Introducing the World to Azerbaijani Books” (IWAB) has been running since 2016 in order to introduce and publicize prominent representatives of Azerbaijani literature and their works to the rest of the world.

Following the cooperation established with Zengin Yayıncılık, a publishing house in Turkey, a total of 57 books by 41 authors, including prominent literary and scientific figures, such as Nizami Ganjavi, Imadeddin Nasimi, Jalil Mammadguluzadeh, Jafar Jabbarly, Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli, Abdurrahim bey Hagverdiyev, Mammad Said Ordubadi, Mir Jalal Pashayev, Nariman Narimanov, Mirza Alakbar Sabir, Ilyas Afandiyev, Rasul Rza, Abdulla Shaig, Mikayil Mushfig, Yusif Samadoghlu, Anvar Mammadkhanly, Farman Karimzade, Soltan Majid Ganizade, Nigar Rafibeyli, Elchin, Ilyas Tapdyg, Khanymana Alibeyli, Nizami Jafarov, Afag Masud, Gazanfar Pashayev, Abdulla bey Divanbeyoghlu, Movlud Suleimanly, Fikret Sadyg, Isi Melikzade, Saday Budagly, Sayyad Aran, Teymur Elchin and Simakh Sheyda, and talented young poets and writers such as Farid Huseyn, Gunel Shamilgyzy, Mirmehdi Aghaoghlu, Gismat Rustamov, Saida Subhi, Javid Zeynally, Ramil Ahmad and Ravan Javid, have been published in the Turkish language and presented to Turkish readers as part of the project. The books published include 3 non-fiction, 34 fiction, and 20 books for children.

In total, 267,000 copies were published, including 6 books with print runs of 2,000 copies and 51 books of 5,000 copies each. The title page of these books states that this project is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Along with high-quality translation and printing, Zengin Yayıncılık also used great diligence to distribute and promote these books in Turkey. Over this period, the books were presented to a number of public libraries, universities and other relevant institutions in Turkey, and were distributed to bookstores in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Igdir and so on, including the largest online bookstores in Turkey.

Information about the books was published in the press, videos were broadcast, and advertisements were posted on the billboards in front of the most prestigious educational institutions in Turkey (Istanbul University, Boğaziçi University, Yıldız Technical University, Galatasaray University, Istanbul Technical University, Marmara University, Memar Sinan Fine Arts University, and Istanbul Technical University).

The publication of books promoting Azerbaijani literature and culture has been met with sympathy both in Azerbaijan and in Turkey. All the copies of the first edition of Ilyas Afandiyev’s “Bridge Builders”, Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli’s “In Blood”, Yusif Samadoghlu’s “Day of Murder” and Afag Masud’s “Freedom” were marketed to bibliophiles.

In connection with the implementation of the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the celebration of the 650th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Imadeddin Nasimi” dated the 15th of November 2018, the project saw the book entitled “Imadeddin Nasimi. The Iraqi Divan” (compiled by Prof. Gazanfar Pashayev) published and presented in Baku, Istanbul and Frankfurt, Germany.

As a next step, the publication of “The Khamsa” (“Five Treasures”) in Turkish, which consists of the poems “Treasure of Secrets”, “Khosrov and Shirin”, “Leyli and Majnun”, “Seven Beauties” and “Iskandar-Nama” (Alexander the Great), was completed and had an extensive presentation in the cities named above in order to promote the unique literary heritage of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi in Turkey.

As of 2020, the works of eight talented young poets and writers of Azerbaijan were published in order to promote “Azerbaijani Literature. Young People Series” in Turkey as part of the project.