On March 3, 2026, the Presidential Library hosted the presentation of the book “Western Azerbaijan: In the Light of Speaking Traces” by the renowned scholar-linguist, poet-publicist, and Professor Makhira Huseynova (Naghigizi), as well as a literary–artistic evening entitled “I Am the Phoenix Bird Reborn from the Ashes”.

In her introductory speech, the Director of the Presidential Library, Professor Afet Abbasova, provided a detailed overview of the author’s scholarly and literary achievements. She highlighted the relevance of the newly published work in fostering an understanding of historical realities and safeguarding the cultural legacy of Western Azerbaijan. It was also stated that Professor Makhira Huseynova, as a specialist in linguistics, relying on comprehensive and systematically documented evidence, argued for the Turkic origin of the place names of settlements, mountains, and rivers in Western Azerbaijan, thereby disputing interpretations she characterizes as historical distortions.

The event also featured addresses by Chairman of the Western Azerbaijan Community, MP Aziz Alakbarli; members of the Milli Majlis — Hikmat Babaoghlu, Malahat Ibrahimqizi, Fazil Mustafa, Mehriban Valiyeva; Jabi Bahramov, PhD in History and Head of the Department of History of Western Azerbaijan at the Institute of History and Ethnology named after A.A. Bakikhanov of ANAS; Varis Yolchiyev, Director of the Azerbaijan Literature Fund— alongside scholars and cultural figures, including Sharaf Jalilli, PhD in Philology, Associate Professor and writer-publicist; Head of the Scientific-Organizational Department, Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University Professor Ibrahim Bayramov; Tamraz Taghiyev, Member of the Board of the Western Azerbaijan Community highly commended Makhira Huseynova’s contributions as both a scholar and an educator. They underscored the scholarly merit of the publication, highlighting its foundation in onomastic heritage and toponymic analysis. Particular attention was drawn to the synthesis of rigorous research and expressive literary depth that characterizes the book, enabling it to communicate a poignant sense of attachment to the homeland.

In her response, the author, Professor Makhira Huseynova, expressed her sincere gratitude to the organizers and participants of the event. She spoke about the process of preparing the volume, the challenges encountered during the research and noted that the publication is not only a scholarly study, but also a civic commitment aimed at restoring national memory, which for many years has been subject to attempts at falsification. She also outlined her prospective projects, reaffirming that the theme of Western Azerbaijan would remain central place in her intellectual and creative work.

After the official part of the event, the evening was followed by a literary and musical program including a musical composition celebrating the author’s artistic oeuvre. In the Hall of Art Room, the author’s poems—imbued with national spirit and devotion to her homeland—were recited. Performances by People’s Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan Gulyanag Mammadova and Honored Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan Gulustan Aliyeva enhanced the atmosphere of the evening. Musical compositions set to Makhira Naghigizi’s poetry infused the event with lyrical resonance and left the audience with enduring impressions.

The program concluded with final remarks by Professor Afet Abbasova.