“Layla and Majnun” by Nizami Ganjavi, (1192 AD, Ganja City, Azerbaijan)

The ideas of the great poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi (1141-1209 AD) have run through Azerbaijanis’ thought for more than eight centuries. The world’s most influential poet and thinker, the genius son of Azerbaijan – Nizami Ganjavi left behind a great legacy that will endure.
Moreover, his legacy is a harmony of the universe, a treasure of wisdom, morality, and spirituality, the universal messages that are a beacon of light for all humanity…
The Nizami Ganjavi Foundation brings ancient knowledge from the depths of history and connects it to the future.
In an exclusive collaboration of the Nizami Ganjavi Foundation with Azerbaijani artist Parnisa Asgarova and Norwegian-born Azerbaijani Turkic fashion designer Shervin Najafpour, Nizami Ganjavi’s “Layla and Majnun” poem has been brought to life for Antalya Fashion Week 2023.
This project enriches and preserves an important and meaningful part of Nizami Ganjavi’s cultural legacy by making it accessible to all.

“Should you desire to see my face
I will be visible in my every verse.
… And when you read Nizami’s rhyme
his face will emerge within every line.
Should you ask where he is after centuries
His every word will sound: here, here he is”.

In promoting the literary heritage of Nizami Ganjavi, Azerbaijan’s great poet and thinker, to the international community, it is crucially important to translate his works into different languages ​​and make them accessible to the widest readership.

And now, Nizami Ganjavi’s Isgendername has been translated into Turkish, for the first time in its entirety. The translation is by Professor Nimet Yıldırım, of Atatürk University, who was supported in his work by the Nizami Ganjavi Foundation.

GENCELI NIZAMÎ. ISKENDERNÂME. Şerefnâme-Ikbâlnâme. Prepared and translated by Prof. Dr. Nimet YILDIRIM. Published by the prestigious Dergâh Publications, Turkiye, in November 2022. The book also includes an analysis of Nizami’s life and work, with other related historical figures, and an explanatory glossary.

We believe that now this masterpiece has been translated into Turkish, it will help to strengthen even further the cultural and literary relations between the two fraternal countries.

In fact, the book has already been warmly welcomed by Turkish readers.

The director of the Nizami Ganjavi Foundation, Rafi Gurbanov, participated as a lecturer in the XII International Multiculturalism Summer School organized by the Baku International Multiculturalism Center on July 26th 2022, in Sheki, entitled “Multiculturalism policy as the key to global and regional peace”.

On July 26th, Rafi Gurbanov gave a lecture on “Foreign policy of Azerbaijan: Multiculturalism as a cultural diplomacy”. Mr Gurbanov said that promoting the example of cultural diversity through the foreign policy agenda is among the priorities of multiculturalism policy.

Starting with the “Baku Process”, this policy strengthens the positive image of our country in the international arena. Complete protection of cultural rights by the state also plays a notable role in preserving traditions of peaceful coexistence.

More than 20 students from leading universities of 14 countries (Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, France, Spain, Egypt, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Romania, Ghana, Nigeria, Bulgaria, and Syria) participated in the XII International Multiculturalism Summer School.

27.07.2022

From 28-29 June 2022 employees and volunteers of the Nizami Ganjavi Foundation (NGF) received training in “Social Media”. Organized by the NGF, with support from the Belə-belə Işlər (Such Works) project, the main purpose of the two-day training was to support the establishment of the Foundation’s media strategy, as well as to increase the knowledge and skills of its staff and volunteers in social media management.

The training was conducted by Sabina Melikova, head of the Belə-belə Işlər project, highlighting the application of different approaches to all sectors of social media; its trends, various practices and related topics. Comprehensive information was also given on methods applied by organizations for promotional purposes. Discussions were held on matters of particular interest to the participants.

Upon the training’s successful completion, Sabina Melikova was awarded a certificate by director Rafi Gurbanov for her contribution to the development of NGF media strategy.

– 30 / 06 /2022

Rafi Gurbanov, director of the Nizami Ganjavi Foundation, met Sohee Ryuk, a doctoral student and young researcher into the Caucasus at the prestigious Columbia University in the USA.

At the meeting, Ms. Ryuk was informed about the work of the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi and the universal values he promoted, as well as the principal activities of the Foundation.

In an extensive discussion of the Foundation’s “Youth Platform”, Mr. Gurbanov underlined that the purpose of involving young academics and experts in the organization’s work also seeks the promotion of Nizami’s values in the international arena through their approach.

Later, during her stay in Azerbaijan, Ms. Ryuk commented on the unique cultural diversity of our country, the hospitality of its people and the results of her research into the country’s carpet weaving traditions. Then opinions were exchanged on other topics of mutual interest.

– 20 / 06 / 2022

A meeting was held between Rafi Gurbanov, director of the Nizami Ganjavi Foundation, and Selcuk Karakiliç director of the Yunus Emre Institute in Baku.

The meeting clarified the wide opportunities for bilateral cooperation between the Nizami Ganjavi Foundation and Yunus Emre Institute. Noting that bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey are at the highest level in a number of areas, Mr. Gurbanov highlighted the importance of cooperation between the two organizations in science and culture to strengthen further cultural relations between the fraternal countries.

Mr. Karakiliç then noted our country’s rich cultural environment and discussed Azerbaijan’s achievements in its management of cultural diversity. Opinions were also exchanged on other matters of mutual interest.

– 16 / 06 / 2022