National poet of Azerbaijan Fikrat Goja

Fikrat Goyush oglu Gojayev (Fikrat Goja) was born on August 25, 1935, in the village of Kotanarkh, Agdash region. He completed his secondary education in the city of Aghdash, studied at the Baku Railway Technical School from 1953 to 1957, and worked at a construction management organization in Baku from 1957 to 1959.

Displaying a passion for literary creativity from an early age, Fikrat Goja studied at the Maxim Gorky Literature Institute in Moscow from 1959 to 1964. Upon returning to Baku, he served as an editor at the Azerbaijan State Committee for Radio and Television from 1964 to 1965, as a literary editor at the "Azerbaijan Ganjlari" newspaper from 1967 to 1970, as executive secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union from 1970 to 1975, as department head at the "Azerbaijan" journal from 1978 to 1987, and as chief editor of the "Gobustan" art journal from 1987 to 2004. Starting in 1998, he served as secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union, and from 2004, he held the position of First Secretary.

Fikrat Goja stands among the writers who introduced a fresh sensibility into the Azerbaijani literary landscape. With works rich in social content, he brought unique nuances to contemporary Azerbaijani poetry in terms of themes, poetic form, and style. His works vividly depicted the inner world of the individual set against the backdrop of important societal events and moral-social processes. His lyrical-philosophical generalizations about humanity and time, advocating spiritual elevation and meaningful existence, endeared him to a wide readership. Through his literary translations, Azerbaijani readers gained access to valuable examples of world poetry. Songs composed based on his poems hold a significant place in the repertoires of many renowned singers.

Fikrat Goja always maintained a special focus on themes of independence and freedom. His works reflecting the Azerbaijani people’s struggle for independence have played an essential role in instilling a spirit of patriotism in younger generations.

His longstanding, productive literary career was highly recognized. He was awarded the honorary titles "Honored Art Worker" and "People's Poet," and received high state honors from the Republic of Azerbaijan, including the "Shohrat," "Sharaf," and "Istiglal" orders, the State Prize, and the "Honorary Diploma of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan."

People's Poet Fikrat Goja passed away on May 5, 2021, at the age of 85, and was laid to rest in the Alley of Honor.

Recommended literature:

1. Pənah, Gülxani. Fikrət Qocanın yaradıcılıq yolu / G. Pənah ; red. A. Arifqızı. - Bakı : [s. n.], 2006. - 352 s.
2. 150 şeir : poeziya almanaxı / F. Qoca [et al.] ; tərt.-red. Q. Ağsəs ; Azərbaycan Respublikası Mədəniyyət və Turizm Nazirliyi. - Bakı : Təhsil, 2012. - 168 s.
3. Axundova, Nəzmiyə Məmməd qızı. Müasir Azərbaycan ədəbiyyatı : 1960-2010-cu illər: dərslik / N. M. Axundova ; elmi red. Ş. H. Alışanlı ; red. G. İbrahimqızı. - Bakı : Elm, 2013. - 596 s.
4. Xəyal, Sona. (Hadiyeva Sona Həmid qızı). Fikrət Qoca: yaradıcılığı əsasında /S. Xəyal; red. A. Musabəyli. - Bakı: Yurd, 2006. - 192 s.