On December 3, a literary-artistic event titled “A great figure of our literary heritage – Bakhtiyar Vahabzade” was held at the Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL) to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of the People’s Poet and prominent literary figure Bakhtiyar Vahabzade.

The event was organized in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, dated February 21, 2025, “On the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Bakhtiyar Vahabzade,” and aimed to introduce the poet’s rich literary legacy to the younger generation in a broader form.

Delivering the opening speech, Zülqəddə Abdulkərimli, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of English–French Languages at AUL, spoke about Bakhtiyar Vahabzade’s invaluable role in Azerbaijani literature, national thought, and public consciousness.

Etibar Talıblı, Associate Professor at Baku State University, shared heartfelt memories about the great poet, noting that Vahabzade had been both his academic supervisor and teacher. Etibar Talıblı described Vahabzade not only as a powerful poet but also as a principled and honest intellectual distinguished by high moral values and deep devotion to his homeland. He stated that Vahabzade was both caring and demanding toward his students, playing a significant role in shaping them and considering it his duty to instill in them knowledge, love for the homeland, and moral values. He emphasized that the poet’s personality and creativity complement one another and continue to serve as a moral guide for society today.

In the artistic part of the event, second-, third-, and fourth-year students of the Faculty of English and French Languages — Zəhra Əliyeva, Səbihə Hüseynəliyeva, Mələk Muradova, Leyla Poladova, Xədicə Alışova, İşıqlan Əhmədova, Səyyarə Məlikova, Nabat Fərzəliyeva, Fatimə Sadıqzadə, Mədinə Bayramova, and Almazın Məlikova — recited the poet’s poems “Mumiya,” “By Baku Time,” “At My Writing Desk,” and “White Hair,” translated into French by Shamil Zaman.

Senior lecturers of the Department of French Lexicology and Stylistics — Kəmalə Kərimova, Rəfiqə Mürşüdova, and Əzizə Məmmədova — also spoke at the event, discussing Bakhtiyar Vahabzade’s creativity, personality, and contributions to Azerbaijani literature.

Səadət Nəbiyeva, coordinator of the Student Affairs and Events Department, emphasized in her speech that such events play an important role in fostering national and moral values among young people and that promoting Vahabzade’s legacy among the youth holds special importance.

The event concluded with a performance by students of the song “Azerbaijan,” composed to the words of Bakhtiyar Vahabzade.