On 17 June 2021, at 11:00, the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Nizami Ganjavi and Azerbaijani Atabeks state” was held at the ANAS National Museum of History of Azerbaijan. Given the quarantine rules, the ceremony was organized with limited number of participants.
We should mention that 2021 marks the 880th anniversary of the birth of the genius Azerbaijani poet and philosopher Nizami Ganjavi. The year of 2021 was declared “Year of Nizami Ganjavi” in the Republic of Azerbaijan by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated 5 January 2021. This year is also the 885th anniversary of the establishment of Azerbaijani Atabeks state that played a vital role in development of Azerbaijani statehood. Thus, the purpose of the exhibition is to demonstrate Nizami Ganjavi and the life of the state he lived in with historical exhibits.
The event was attended by General Director of National Museum of History of Azerbaijan, Academician Naila Valikhanli, Vice President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbayli. Academician Nargiz Akhundova, Academician Govher Bakhshaliyeva, Head of Permanent Representation of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in Baku Bakhtiyar Asgarov, Associate Professor of Ganja Division of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Elnur Hasanov and mass media representatives.
Declaring the ceremony open, N.Valikhanli gave detailed information on the importance of the event. Academician noted that the preserved precious exhibits and ancient manuscripts, miniatures of great writers’ works, examples of folk art and applied art, unique documents of prominent people as well as other monuments of material culture concerning various centuries provide visitors with thorough information about development path of our history and culture from past to present. In addition, she spoke of different events related to “Year of Nizami Ganjavi” held by the Museum employees as popular-scientific work activity.
Academician Isa Habibbayli delivered a speech on contributions of Nizami’s activity to science. I. Habibbayli highlighted that Nizami’s activity which is inexhaustible source of research and left an indelible mark in historical memory of our nation is an example for future generations, and the exhibits displayed at the exhibition are the main research objects. Academician also noted that this exhibition at the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan of which the opening ceremony we are attending plays a vital role in regard to historically study Nizami science, to get acquainted with Nizami heritage and to instill a sense of love toward classical heritage.
Later, referring to the works included in Khamsa, PhD in Philology B.Asgarov stated that the poet appriciated superior humane values in his instructive words and made worthy contributions to the world heritage. B.Asgarov talked about the value given by the Museum to the exhibits of the period of Azerbaijani Atabeks state and Nizami. He mentioned that this was the rising period of Renaissance of Azerbaijani culture. B.Asgarov expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to organization of the exhibition. Curator of the exhibition, the Head of Department of Scientific Exposition and Organization of Exhibitions Sabuhi Ahmadov stated that in total 250 exhibits being preserved in the Funds of Archaeology, Ethnography, Auxiliary historical materials, Numismatics, Weapons and Banners, Special Fund, and Library of the Museum were used to be displayed at the exhibition. The exhibits concerning the 12th- early 13th centuries were discovered in the Azerbaijani cities of Ganja, Beylagan, Barda, Mingachevir, Shabran, Nakhchivan. Some exhibits will be presented to visitors for the first time. For example, among the displayed exhibits, a book “Sheikh Nizami. His autobiography” (“Şeyx Nizami. Tərcümeyi-halı”) by Mirza Muhammad Akhundov written in the old alphabet and published in Ganja in 1909 is of special interest. In the end, the event attendees visited the exhibition.
