Establishment of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers

In the early 20th century, Azerbaijan's literary and cultural life was marked by several significant events. Similar to other fields, the national press experienced a general revival, with the emergence of the first literary-artistic journals such as “Fyuzat” (1906-1907) under the editorship of Alibey Huseynzadeh, featuring contributions from M. Hadi, A. Sahhat, H. Javid, and others, as well as “Yeni Fyuzat” (1910-1911) and other publications that were already in operation.

The "Molla Nasraddin" magazine, which began its publication during that period with certain interruptions during the Soviet era (from 1906 to 1931) under the editorship of M. J. Mammadguluzadeh and featuring active contributors such as M. A. Sabir, A. Hagverdiyev, O. Faig, A. Nazmi, and A. Gamkusar, played an unparalleled role in awakening national consciousness and promoting national liberation ideas in the Caucasus and the Eastern world. It also provided significant impetus for developing Azerbaijani education, journalism, arts, and literature.

Starting in 1906, under the initiative of Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, a distinguished son of the Azerbaijani people and a patron of culture and education, financial assistance was provided to young intellectuals and writers. With his support, artistic works came to light.

Shortly after, well-known millionaire patrons like Musa Naghiyev, Shamsi Asadullayev, Murtuza Mukhtarov, and other entrepreneurs joined this noble initiative.

In addition to their other charitable and meritorious deeds, their initiatives significantly contributed to the expansion and development of national art, literature, press, and book publishing, including the publication of school textbooks.

The journal “Education and Culture,” published since 1923 and known as “Azerbaijan” from 1953, has played a significant role in the development of science and culture in the republic, the enrichment and purification of the Azerbaijani language, the preservation of its integrity, and the mobilization of the literary community and creative forces.

The journals "Golden Pen" (1924) and "Literary Monuments," active during the 1920s and 1930s, played a significant role in integrating young, talented writers into the literary scene, promoting our national cultural heritage, and contributing to the development of our culture and literary art. Since 1931, the magazine "Literary Azerbaijan" has been published in Russian, and except for 1942-1952, it continues to operate.

A revival of literary life was observed during the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1919-1920) and later in Soviet Azerbaijan in 1925-1926. Numerous literary circles, associations, and groups emerged in oil fields, factories, and plants.

During this period, Azerbaijan’s literary and writer community took the initiative to unite in various forms of organization.

The first major and mass organization of writers and poets was the “BAPP” (Baku Proletarian Writers' Association), founded in 1926. The organization primarily included those authors who lived and created in Baku.

In 1928, the Azerbaijan Proletarian Writers Association was established, bringing together 65 members and 25 candidates for membership.

The first congress of the Association was held on January 13, 1928, under the chairmanship of Teymur Huseynov. During the congress, Suleyman Rustamzadeh delivered a report. The honorary presidium was composed of Ruhulla Akhundov, H. Nazarli, Mustafa Guliyev, Suleyman Rustam, Manaf Guliyev, Ahmad Trinich, Henri Barbusse, Maxim Gorky, Alexander Serafimovich, and Nâzım Hikmet.

The second AzAPP congress took place in 1929 with the slogan "To further popularize the proletarian literary movement."

During the inter-congress period, AzAPP's activities were already expanding significantly. From three literary clubs operating under the L. Schmidt (now Sattarkhan) and S. Budyonny factories, as well as in the Lenin (now Sabunchu) district of Baku, 150 individuals were engaged in creative work, allowing them to develop and mature in their craft. The writers from the Lenin (Sabunchu) district comprised authors who wrote in both Azerbaijani and Russian.  

During that period, various literary organizations increased, establishing literary circles for youth in Baku, Ganja, Goychay, Nakhchivan, and other locations. Writers' works were published, and the monthly magazine "Hujum" featured writings by members of these circles and organizations. Of course, the journal "Revolution and Culture" (formerly known as "Education and Culture") served as the leading literary platform in this regard.

By the decision of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) dated April 23, 1932, "On the new structure of literary and creative organizations," AzAPP was incorporated into the planned Soviet Writers' Union.

The Azerbaijan Writers' Union was established on June 13, 1934, with 93 members and candidates for membership.

Since 1934, the organ of the Writers' Union, "Literary Newspaper", has been published.

Mammad Kazim Alakbarli was elected the first chairman of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union.

In the following years, the Writers' Union was headed by Seyfulla Shamilov, Rasul Rza, Samad Vurghun, Suleyman Rahimov, Mirza Ibrahimov, Mehdi Huseyn, Imran Gasimov, and Ismayil Shikhli. Since 1987, Anar has been the head of the Union (first secretary until 1991, chairman since 1991).

The organization, operating under the name of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union (AYB) after the restoration of our country's state independence, has overcome various challenges over the past 80 years and has rendered great services in preserving national literature and the mother tongue and forming the ideology of Azerbaijanism. Over the years, the organization has always enriched our people’s cultural history and treasury of spiritual wealth with many valuable examples of artistic and aesthetic thought.

The Azerbaijan Writers' Union has prose, poetry, drama, and literary criticism sections and a center for literary translation and relations, which was established at the Union’s initiative.

The Nakhchivan Writers' Union operates under the Azerbaijan Writers' Union. The organization also has branches in Ganja, Garabagh, Lankaran, Mingachevir, Shaki, Shirvan, Sumgayit, Gazakh, Guba, Aran, as well as departments and branches in Moscow, the Borchali region of Georgia, the city of Derbent of the Republic of Dagestan of the Russian Federation, and Istanbul.

Today, the Writers' Union spares no effort in expanding its members' activities, unlocking their creative potential, and providing attention and care to our compatriots living abroad. It strives to translate valuable examples of our national literature and properly introduce and promote Azerbaijani literature internationally.

Recommended literature:

1. Anar - 80...: şəxsiyyətin tarixi /tərtib edən və ön sözün müəl. G. Pənah ; elmi red. J. Əliyeva ; bədii red. A. Mahmudova ; dizayner Ş. Əliyeva. - Bakı: SkyE, 2019. - 520 s.
2. XIII qurultayöncəsi məruzələr/Azərbaycan Yazıçılar Birliyi ; tərt., red. E. Hüseynbəyli ; dizayner Ö. Məmmədov. - Bakı: Qələm, 2022. - 303 s.