A round table discussion devoted to the 200th anniversary of Mikhail Lermontov is held at the Heydar Aliyev Center

A round table discussion devoted to the 200^th anniversary of eminent Russian poet, writer and playwright Mikhail Yuriyevich Lermontov took place at the Heydar Aliyev Center, December 22.

Held at the initiative of Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, the round table discussion covered the theme “M.Y.Lermontov’s creative legacy as part of the world culture”.

Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Anar Alakbarov mentioned about the big projects that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has implemented in the spheres of culture, education, science, technology, environment and sports for years: Over 400 schools have been constructed by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and more than  40 establishments for children deprived of parental care reconstructed. A number of projects have been implemented in cultural sphere and presentations, festivals, conferences and cultural events related to Azerbaijan held abroad”.

Anar Alakbarov talked about the activities of Leyla Aliyeva, the Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev noted in his speech that all cultural events of Russia have always been approached in Azerbaijan with deep respect and interest. Saying “Lermontov is an occasion in the world culture and literature”, the minister mentioned that Lermontov’s creativity has been very much respected in Azerbaijan: “He has served in the Gusar regiment in the territory of Gusar district of Azerbaijan, travelled villages and met with common people. Lermontov was on friendly terms with Azerbaijan’s eminent thinker and founder of dramaturgy Mirza Fatali Akhundov and learned the Azerbaijani language from him. A pen and an ink box belonging to Mikhail Lermontov is preserved in the Regional Ethnography Museum of Azerbaijan”.

Minister of Education Mikail Jabbarov talked about Lermontov’s creativity, and said matters raised by him have not lost their urgency: “As the time passes, issues raised by him become more urgent, and answers may be found to a number of questions”. The minister said over 350 schools in Azerbaijan are teaching in Russian and all higher schools of Azerbaijan have a faculty teaching the Russian language: “In other words, we have had no limit on the number of participants, including those reading the great poet from the original. And I can say, in an unrestrained way, that there are also great translations of Lermontov’s works in the Azerbaijani language.”

Discussions were held around the round table about the creativity of M.Y.Lermontov.

President of “Lermontov Legacy” Association, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, director of the Russian Literature Institute Vsevolod Bagno and various other  guests from Russia attended the event.

Works by young artists of Azerbaijan devoted to the life and creativity of M.Y.Lermontov was displayed in the foyer of the Heydar Aliyev Center.

The jubilee ceremony continued by a concert programme devoted to M.Y.Lermontov’s literary creativity.