- LITERARY RELATIONS: FROM THE SOVIET ERA TO INDEPENDENCE

AUTHORSHIP INTRODUCTION Nurlana Mustafayeva There is a centuries-old history of literary State University, Baku, Azerbaijan. relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey. The ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4339-3468 works of Azerbaijani writers were spread and E-mail: [email protected] highly valued in Turkey as early as the Middle Received in: Approved in: 2021-04-10 2021-06-26 Ages, and Turkish poets and writers benefited DOI: https://doi.org/10.24115/S2446-622020217Extra-E1157p.24-31 from their high literary and aesthetic ideas, creative forms and features. had a strong influence on Turkish authors. For example, there were many references in to the works of prominent Azerbaijani poets Imadeddin Nasimi and Mohammad (AYDIN, 2002, p. 2). In the new era, Turkish poets and writers wrote articles calling for the liberation of Azerbaijan and other captured by Tsarist . Such writings were especially popular on the eve of and during the war. For example, back in 1916, , one of the classics of modern Turkish , described the tragedy of a beauty with heartburn in his poem “Caucasian Girl” dedicated to the Azerbaijani public figure Ahmad Bey Agaoglu (ALIYEVA, 2002, p. 28). Such works contributed to the formation of national consciousness and the spread of ideas of freedom in the Turkic peoples, whose native languages and cultures were constantly oppressed under the colonial oppression of Tsarist Russia. The bringing of a large number of Turkish captives to Azerbaijan during the war and the situation of Turkish refugees became the subject of works by Azerbaijani writers. In May 1917, a number of articles were published in the magazine “Brotherly Help”, published by Azerbaijani writers in Baku. The magazine published articles, poems and works by national intellectuals such as prominent Azerbaijani public and literary figures Mammad Amin Rasulzadeh, Omar Faig Nemanzadeh, , , Mammad Said Ordubadi, , Abdurrahim bek Hagverdiyev, , Khalil Ibrahim, Firudin bek Kocharli, Jafar Jabbarli, dedicated to the tragedies of the First World War on the . Along with Azerbaijani writers, the magazine also included works by some writers of other Turkic and Muslim nations. 16 of the published works were poems. Huseyn Javid’s “War and Disaster”, “Poor”, Turkmen writer Sabit Marafzadeh’s “In front of a board”, Ali Nazmi’s “Throne forward”, Sabur A. Huseynzadeh’s “Don’t be an Faratkesh”, Ali Razi Yusifzadeh’s “To the Guests”, Abbas Sahhat’s “Evacuation or Refugee”, Salman Turkhan’s “Cilkha Turkish-language composition” and other poems were on this topic (QARDAŞ KÖMƏYİ, 1917). After the Azerbaijani people have escaped from Russia’s colonial oppression and the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, the first democratic republic in the Muslim East, direct literary relations were established with Turkey. In 1918-1920, the works of Turkish poets and writers were published in Azerbaijan, and the works of Azerbaijani poets and writers were published in Turkey. However, this relationship was not systematic and did not last long.

Azerbaijani-Turkish literary relations in the Soviet period: What was the main goal? After the occupation of Azerbaijan by Bolshevik Russia in April 1920, the Azerbaijan People’s Republic collapsed and state independence was terminated. Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic was formally declared independent, but its domestic and foreign policies were carried out by . After the occupation, many Azerbaijani political, public and literary figures were forced to emigrate to Turkey. Literary relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, which had been weak so far, were suspended by Moscow. After that, the Turkish people had the opportunity to get acquainted with the literature and life of Azerbaijan through the works of representatives of the Azerbaijani emigration - Mammad Amin Rasulzadeh, Ali bey Huseynzadeh, Ahmad Agaoglu, Mirza Bala Mammadzadeh, Ahmad Jafaroglu and others who were forced to live in Turkey as a result of

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Nurlana Mustafayeva • 25 the Bolshevik occupation. Articles and works written by Azerbaijani emigrant figures on Azerbaijani history and literature were met with interest in Turkey. At the same time, Azerbaijani immigrants were closely involved in the social, literary and scientific environment of Turkey (QASIMLI, 2006, p. 322-338). At a time when Soviet-Turkish relations were good from the early 1920s to the mid-1930s, relations with Turkey were maintained only through Moscow’s strict control of the Center. In general, literary relations depended on the level of political relations. Literary figures from Turkey also took part in the First Turkological Congress held in Baku in 1926. However, since the mid-1930s, Turkey’s rapprochement with the West has been met with outrage by the Soviet leadership. Relations between the two countries have stagnated and cooled. Literary relations, which were already weak, were completely stopped. In addition to severing ties, Stalin carried out ruthless repressions against the intellectuals of the Turkic peoples of the USSR. Poets and writers who supported relations with Turkey and touched on the subject of Turkey in their works fell victim to Stalin’s repressions under the names “Turkist”, “Pan-Turkist” and “Turanian”. Soviet-Turkish relations began to improve again when Nazi Germany invaded the USSR and Turkey declared that would remain neutral. However, there were no literary connections at that time. After the victory of the Soviet troops under Stalingrad, the attitude of the Soviet leader Stalin to Turkey also changed. Relations have been strained by Moscow’s territorial claims against Turkey. As a result of the breakdown of Soviet-Turkish relations in the first years of the Second World War and then in the early years of the Cold War between the two system countries in the face of threats from the , Turkey’s membership in NATO in 1952 brought relations to the brink of hostility. However, after Stalin’s death in 1953, the Soviet leadership acknowledged the mistakes in its policy towards Turkey, the first steps were taken to normalize relations between the USSR and Turkey. The process of normalization of relations since the early 1960s has also had a positive impact on Azerbaijani-Turkish literary relations. This was not accidental. The Soviet leadership gave a certain role to Azerbaijan, which has the same language, history, ethnic and cultural roots as the Turkish people, in the normalization of relations with Turkey. The role given to Azerbaijan in these relations was only the humanitarian and literary spheres. Political relations were within the competence of Moscow only, and Azerbaijan, like other republics, was not allowed close. Relations in the field of literature were a means to achieve the political goals of the Soviet Union. When the process of easing international tensions between the two system countries began in the late 1960s, relevant bilateral documents on cooperation in the field of culture, including literature, were signed between the USSR and Turkey, and a legal framework was established. Although official documents stated that the main goal of relations in the field of culture, including literature, is the free exchange of cultural resources and the mutual enrichment of peoples, in these relations both the USSR and Turkey pursued specific political goals. The Soviet leadership aimed to spread communist ideology in Turkish society, to weaken Turkey, NATO’s southern wing, from within, to separate it from the bloc and turn it into a neutral country, and to reduce Western influence in the country. One of the tools used for this was the annual Izmir International Exhibition Fair. During the fair, Soviet representatives distributed booklets promoting the Soviet way of life and communist ideology to Turks and other visitors to the fair. In accordance with the instructions of the Soviet leadership, which saw the high interest and sympathy of the Turkish nation in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani pavilion was established at the Izmir Exhibition Fair to make the propaganda more effective. Brochures in the were presented to the Turks who came to the Azerbaijani pavilion. The propaganda of the Soviet representatives among the through books was met with dissatisfaction by the Turkish authorities, and even protests were expressed against these actions. The communist regime in the USSR, a closed society and an “iron curtain” ruled by an administrative command system, did not allow the people of Azerbaijan, along with other republics, to follow the developments in Turkey. The news program of the Central Soviet Television broadcast only the negative aspects of Turkish life, and Turkish society was deliberately disfavored. Thus, a negative opinion was formed about the way of life of the Western bloc countries, including Turkey, and the Soviet system was supposedly superior.

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• 26 Azerbaijan-Turkey literary relations: from the soviet era to independence

The Soviet leadership did not allow Turkish writers and poets to come to Azerbaijan, and even a small number of visitors was not allowed to contact with a wide readership (AYDIN, 2002, p. 336). In the 1970s, some Turkish journalists visited Azerbaijan. They published articles in the Turkish press about Azerbaijani culture and literature. After severe censorship, the Central Soviet government allowed the translation and publication of a limited number of works by mostly left-wing Turkish poets and writers in Azerbaijan. For example, the book “The King of Football”, which includes two works by the famous Turkish writer Aziz Nesi, was published in 1988 in Baku. In his first work, “Letters from the marble town”, the author touched on a number of socio-political issues in Turkey, in particular, he criticized the poor state of health care with deadly laughter. The second book, “The King of Football”, was about the life and of a naive, shy young man. Literary ties were also used by Turkey not only for free cultural exchange, but also for the realization of its political goals. First of all, Turkish literary and public figures considered Azerbaijan a reliable bridge in Soviet-Turkish relations (GASIMLI, 2008, p. 424). Turkish writers wished Azerbaijani cultural figures visiting Turkey freedom by asking questions about the state of the language and culture of the Turkic peoples groaning under Moscow’s oppression. For example, during the concerts of Azerbaijani singers in Turkey in the 1970s, booklets calling for the liberation of captive Turkic peoples in the USSR were distributed to guests and participants, and the “Week of Captive Turkic Peoples” was held (GASIMLI, 2008, p. 424). Although officially declared independent, such activities of Turkish circles, which were in fact closely connected with the state power, did not escape the attention of the Soviet side. As a result of the visits of Turkish poets and writers to Azerbaijan since the mid-1980s, the number of articles in Turkish newspapers and magazines dedicated to Azerbaijani poets and writers and literature has increased. For example, in 1987, articles on Azerbaijani culture and literature were published in Turkish magazines “Size”, “Son Baski”, “Turkeli”, “Kemalci Ulku”, “Erciye” and others (QASIMOV, 1992, p. 36). In 1989, the -based Aykhan Publishing House published a poem by , one of the founders of Azerbaijani Soviet poetry, entitled “Ah, Azerbaijan!”. In the same year, the Turkish publishing house Dipash signed an agreement with the Khatira Cooperative under the Union of Journalists of Azerbaijan on the exchange of printed materials, and the publishing house published a collection of poems and other books by Azerbaijani poet Rafig Zeka Khandan (QASIMOV, 1992, p. 18). As one of the indicators of the expansion of literary ties, the publication of works by Azerbaijani writers and poets in Turkey increased in the late 1980s. For example, the work of the chairman of the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan, writer Anar “White Port” was published by “Semavi” publishing house in Istanbul. The story was published in a number of media outlets - “Gunesh” newspaper, “Kadyn” magazine. The publication of such works increased the interest in Azerbaijan. Although the USSR still existed, some first steps have been taken to establish a legal basis for cooperation in the field of literature. Thus, in October 1990, an agreement on cultural cooperation was signed between the Ministries of Culture of the Azerbaijan SSR and the Republic of Turkey. The agreement provided for the exchange of experience over the next 5 years, the translation and publication of works by poets and writers. In order to teach Turkish in Azerbaijan, the Department of Turkish Philology was opened for the first time at Baku State University in 1990, and a year later the textbook “” was published in Baku. Publication of Turkish literature in Azerbaijan has increased. Visit of Ahmad Garaja, Secretary General of the Azerbaijani Cultural Association founded by Mammad Amin Rasulzadeh, the leader of political emigration in Turkey, a staunch opponent of the communist regime that oppressed various nations in the USSR, editor of “Azerbaijan” magazine published since 1952, a supporter and propagandist of the Azerbaijani people’s liberation from the oppression of Communist Russia and the establishment of an independent state, to Azerbaijan in February 1991 at the invitation of the Vatan Society, marked the beginning of a new page in relations (BİR KƏRƏ YÜKSƏLƏN BAYRAQ BİR DAHA ENMƏZ, 1991, p. 3). The meetings held by the head of the Cultural Association, which is engaged in the dissemination of Azerbaijani literature, history, economy, art and culture, stressed the need for Azerbaijan to get rid of Moscow’s rule and restore state independence.

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At that time, the USSR was on the verge of collapse. After the removal of the term “SSR” from the name of the Azerbaijan SSR in February 1991 and the adoption of the name of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the expansion of literary relations became an irresistible process. Mutual visits of poets, writers and journalists, book publishing increased. The Turkish side tried to include more Turkish literature in Azerbaijani libraries. For this purpose, the visit of the Director of the National State Library of the Republic of Turkey Altınay Sernikli to Azerbaijan in May 1991 was important as one of the first steps of systematic cooperation. During the visit, the parties agreed to increase book exchange. Later, Bekir Sitki Senol, Assistant Minister of Culture of the Republic of Turkey and Yusuf Tavaci, Director of the Istanbul Beyazit Library visited the Azerbaijan State Library named after M.F.Akhundov, the Institute of Manuscripts of ANAS, the Republican Scientific and Technical Library, the Scientific Agricultural Library, the Republican Medical Library, the Central Scientific Library of ANAS, Baku Cultural and Educational School, Ganja, , Sheki, Agdash Guba, Devechi, Gusar, Gabala district libraries. After getting acquainted with the situation in libraries, the delegation met with the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Polad Bulbuloglu. After extensive discussions, specific measures were identified to develop a program for further development of relations in the field of culture, including book exchange. After the visit, booklets about major libraries in Azerbaijan were published in Turkey. The increasing availability of Turkish books in Azerbaijani libraries, representing the free world, was seen as one of the means of strengthening the national liberation movement of the Azerbaijani people and the collapse of the communist system. Thus, during the Cold War, literary relations, seen as a means of achieving political goals in cooperation, were not free and open. The “Iron Curtain” and the closed society of the USSR did not allow free-thinking Turkish literature to enter the country. The Soviet side viewed Turkish literature as a means of promoting the Western, capitalist way of life and system. In the transition to a process of de-escalation of tensions between the two system countries, the USSR and Turkey signed the relevant documents and created a legal framework for cooperation in the field of culture, including literature. Azerbaijani-Turkish literary relations, which were an integral part of the USSR-Turkey cooperation, were carried out under the strict control of Moscow and were mainly subordinated to the goals of the USSR’s foreign policy. In literary relations, Moscow’s main goal was to weaken Turkish society by spreading communist ideology, to propagate the communist system, to distance Turkey from NATO and turn it into a neutral country, to discredit Turkish society and the Western way of life in the eyes of the Turkic peoples of the USSR. The Turkish side used literary relations to achieve its political goals. The Turkish side viewed these relations as a means of spreading the ideas of freedom and independent statehood among the Turkic peoples groaning under oppression in the USSR. In the late 1980s, when the Soviet system weakened, Azerbaijan’s literary ties with Turkey expanded and a precondition was laid for a direct character.

Azerbaijan-Turkey literary relations in the years of independence After the restoration of the state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the closed society and the “iron curtain” were put to an end once and for all. Despite the existence of the USSR, the Republic of Turkey became the first state to recognize the state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan in November 1991. The collapse of the USSR also meant the victory of the literary system presented by the free world over the closed Soviet system. After the restoration of state independence, all relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, including literary relations, were freed from ideological shackles. During the years of independence, an independent legal framework for cultural and literary cooperation between the two countries was established. Literary relations were carried out mainly in the form of mutual visits of poets, writers and journalists, conferences, symposiums and congresses, book publishing, anniversaries of prominent literary figures and other forms. For example, the visit of a group of members of the Turkish Writers’ Union to Azerbaijan in July 1992 to participate in an international Turkish poetry conference in Baku played an important role in the

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• 28 Azerbaijan-Turkey literary relations: from the soviet era to independence development of literary relations. During the visit, specific work to be done to expand literary ties was identified at the meetings. Literary relations also began to be implemented in a multilateral format. In this regard, the establishment of the Turkish World Writers’ Union at the Congress of Writers of the Turkic World held in Ankara on October 22-26, 1992 and attended by representatives of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Gagauzia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Romania and , was one of the important events. This was seen as a means of influencing the establishment and expansion of relations between Turkish poets and writers. The participation of the representatives of the Turkic peoples, who were not independent states, in the congress contributed to the growth of their ideas of national independence. Speaking at the congress, Azerbaijani poets and writers Anar, Bakhtiyar Vahabzade and Nabi Khazri spoke about the literary problems and relations of the Turkic world, the struggle of the Azerbaijani people for independence and democracy. Mutual book publishing has been further expanded in Azerbaijani-Turkish literary relations since 1993. Thus, in the same year, the Turkish Ministry of Culture launched a multi-volume publication entitled “Turkish Literature Outside Turkey.” The first five volumes of the anthology were dedicated to the nearly thousand-year history of Azerbaijani literature, one of the oldest and richest branches of Turkish literature (TÜRKİYE DIŞINDAKI TÜRK EDEBİYATLARI ANTOLOJİSİ, 1993-1997). This book, which was met with interest in the Turkish society, played an important role in the wider promotion of Azerbaijani literature in Turkey. Anniversary of the classics of Azerbaijani literature was one of the forms used in literary relations. The holding of jubilee events dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Mohammad Fuzuli on November 1, 1994 at Bilkent University in Ankara played an important role in this regard. In his opening speech at the ceremony, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan said: “There are friendly and fraternal relations between the people of Azerbaijan and the people of Turkey, between the independent Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkey” (ALIYEV, 1997, p. 459). As a continuation of these events, jubilee events dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Mohammad Fuzuli and the III Congress of Writers of the Turkic World were held in Baku. In his speech, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev looked at the history, present and prospects of literary relations between the Turkic peoples. The congress was an important event in terms of developing literary relations with Turkey, Turkic states and Turkish communities (TÜRK DÜNYASI YAZIÇILARININ III QURULTAYINDA AZƏRBAYCAN PREZİDENTİ HEYDƏR ƏLİYEVİN NİTQİ, 1996, p. 1-4). It was especially useful for poets and writers to establish direct contact with each other. In a short time, mutual book printing also increased. Azerbaijani literature became more widespread in Turkey. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Mesut Yilmaz, who attached great importance to literary relations between the two countries, said in his speech on April 15, 1996: “The works of many Azerbaijani poets and writers have been published in Turkey” (TÜRKİYƏNİN BAŞ NAZİRİ MƏSUT YILMAZIN BAKIDA 1996-CI İLİN APRELİN 15-DƏKİ ÇIXIŞINDAN, 1998). Along with all this, there was a need to further expand cooperation between the two countries in the field of literature. The visit of the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Turkey Tekin Aybash to Baku in 1998 to discuss these issues was one of the important steps. During the visit, the parties agreed to expand and deepen cooperation. Shortly after the visit, the holding of the IV Congress of Writers of the Turkic World in Antalya in November 1998 was an important event in the development of literary relations between the two countries. It should be noted that the holding of the first two congresses in Turkey under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Turkey Suleyman Demirel and the third congress in Baku under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev showed the special attention of both countries to literary cooperation. It was believed that the fact that the Turkic peoples, who are similar in terms of history, culture and ethnic roots, get acquainted with each other’s literary and cultural treasures, far from ideology and political goals, would bring them closer. Along with poets and writers of the Turkic states, representatives from the United States, the Netherlands, Iraq, , , , Bulgaria and Australia took part in the IV Congress

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Nurlana Mustafayeva • 29 held in Antalya. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the congress, Anar, chairman of the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan, and others said that the main theme of the congress was “ Gorgud” in connection with the announcement of 1998 as the “Year of Dede Gorgud” by UNESCO (TÜRK DÜNYASI YAZIÇILARININ IV QURULTAYI, 1998, p. 1). The ancient Azerbaijani epic Dede Gorgud was an example of the unity of the Turkic peoples. In order to further expand literary ties, the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan and the Black Sea Writers’ Union of the Republic of Turkey signed an agreement on joint cooperation. According to the agreement, with the translation, Turkish readers will be able to get acquainted with the works of art, critical articles of leading poets, writers and critics of Azerbaijani literature, and Azerbaijani literature lovers will be able to get acquainted with Turkish literature. Within the framework of the cooperation, meetings and conferences dedicated to the 1300th anniversary of “The Book Dede Gorgud” epos were held on October 19, 1999 in Ankara at the “Dede Gorgud Knowledge Festival” organized by the Ataturk Cultural Center and the Institute of Turkish Studies of Istanbul University (DƏDƏ QORQUDUN QƏHRƏMANLIQ ƏNƏNƏLƏRİ YAŞAYIR, 1999, p. 1). This meeting and conference showed that there are great opportunities and potential for cooperation. The VI International Dede Gorgud Days in Bayburt, Turkey, was one of the means of influencing the expansion of literary ties (BAYBURTDA DƏDƏ QORQUD GÜNLƏRİ, 2000). Speaking at the opening ceremony, Turkish Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay, Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan, People’s Writer Anar and Turkish Ambassador to UNESCO, famous composer and writer Zulfu Livaneli stressed the importance of expanding literary cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey (ANKARADA DƏDƏ QORQUD GÜNLƏRİ, 2000, p. 2). They believed that the Dede Gorgud days played an important role in literary relations not only between Azerbaijan and Turkey, but also between the Turkic peoples as a whole. The holding of the 1300th anniversary of the The Book of Dede Gorgud epos in Baku in 2000 was a continuation of those gatherings. The participation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Turkey Suleyman Demirel, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and other officials in the anniversary meeting was one of the indicators of the attention paid to cooperation in the field of literature (ALIYEV, 2008, p. 79-80). The speakers noted the importance of the anniversary and the importance of expanding cooperation between the Turkic peoples in the field of literature. Speaking at the meeting, President Heydar Aliyev said: “This anniversary is a historic event of exceptional importance for us, for the entire Turkic world and human culture. This is a holiday of respect for our historical roots, national traditions, national and spiritual values, culture, science, centuries-old history of our people. This is a holiday of our national freedom and state independence. The Book of Dede Gorgud, a great historical monument of the Azerbaijani people and all Turkic-speaking peoples, has been living for 1,300 years. If we take into account the efforts of our peoples to create the epic “The Book of Dede Gorgud” more than 1300 years ago, and finally create this historical monument, then we can imagine how ancient history, deep roots and rich culture of our peoples” (ALIYEV, 2008, p. 79). In order to expand literary ties between the two countries, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev signed a decree on March 9, 2001 on the establishment of the Azerbaijan Ataturk Center. The main purpose of establishing the center was to study Ataturk’s heritage, Turkish literature, language, history and culture in depth, to conduct research (AZƏRBAYCAN ATATÜRK MƏRKƏZİNİN YARADILMASI HAQQINDA AZƏRBAYCAN RESPUBLİKASI PREZİDENTİNİN SƏRƏNCAMI, 2001, p. 1). After the opening of the center, cooperation in the field of literature has expanded, and the number of book publishing and joint meetings has increased. Thus, the study of facts and materials shows that during the years of independence, Azerbaijan and Turkey have had a free cultural exchange, literary relations, far from ideologies. However, there were those who tried to present the goals of this cooperation in a different way. Literary cooperation between the two countries was an integral part of the ongoing integration processes in the world and had nothing to do with “Turkism”, “Pan-Turkism” and “”. These relations have contributed to the mutual enrichment of nations.

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• 30 Azerbaijan-Turkey literary relations: from the soviet era to independence

CONCLUSION In general, Azerbaijan and Turkey have a rich history of literary relations. Since Azerbaijan was not independent during the Soviet era, as in other areas, literary relations were subject to the unified foreign policy goals of the USSR and were carried out under the strict control of Moscow. The Soviet Union used literary ties as a tool to weaken Turkish society, NATO’s southern wing, Turkey, and Western influence in the country by spreading communist ideology. The Soviet state did not allow Turkish literature to enter the country because of its “iron curtain” and closed society. Only the works of some left-wing poets and writers have been published in Azerbaijan. After the restoration of the state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, direct literary relations were established with Turkey, free from ideological stereotypes. The collapse of the USSR was a victory of the free world over the communist system, of free-thinking literature over Soviet literature, which became a shackle of ideology. The legal basis of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey in the field of literature has been established and various forms have been identified. Literary relations have served for the mutual enrichment and free exchange of the Azerbaijani and Turkish peoples with the same language, history, culture and ethnic roots.

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TÜRKIYƏNIN BAŞ NAZIRI MƏSUT YILMAZIN BAKIDA 1996-CI ILIN APRELIN 15-DƏKI ÇIXIŞINDAN [From the speech of the Prime Minister of Turkey Mesut Yilmaz in Baku on April 15, 1996]. “Ədəbiyyat” qəzeti [“Adabiyyat” newspaper], 1998, no. 10(3038), March 13.

Azerbaijan-Turkey literary relations: from the soviet era to independence Relações literárias Azerbaijão-Turquia: da era soviética à independência Relaciones literarias Azerbaiyán-Turquía: de la era soviética a la independencia

Resumo Abstract Resumen O artigo compara as relações Article compares the literary El artículo compara las relaciones literárias entre o Azerbaijão e a relations between Azerbaijan and literarias entre Azerbaiyán y Turquia durante os períodos Turkey during the Soviet and Turquía durante los períodos soviéticos e de independência. independence periods. Research soviéticos y de independencia. La Pesquisas mostram que, durante a shows that during the Soviet era, investigación muestra que durante era soviética, as relações literárias limited literary relations under the la era soviética, las relaciones limitadas sob a liderança de Moscou leadership of Moscow were literarias limitadas bajo el liderazgo estavam subordinadas aos objetivos subordinated to the unified foreign de Moscú estaban subordinadas a unificados de política externa da policy goals of the USSR. The Soviet los objetivos unificados de política URSS. A União Soviética, entre outros Union, among other means, sought exterior de la URSS. La Unión meios, procurou espalhar a to spread communist ideology in Soviética, entre otros medios, ideologia comunista na Turquia Turkey through literary ties, to intentó difundir la ideología através de laços literários, weaken NATO’s southern wing comunista en Turquía a través de enfraquecer a ala sul da OTAN de from within, and to reduce Western lazos literarios, debilitar el ala sur dentro e reduzir a influência influence. The closed society and de la OTAN desde dentro y reducir ocidental. A sociedade fechada e a the “iron curtain” of the USSR did la influencia occidental. La "cortina de ferro" da URSS não not allow the free exchange of sociedad cerrada y el "telón de permitiram a livre troca de tesouros cultural and literary treasures. After acero" de la URSS no permitían el culturais e literários. Após a the restoration of the state libre intercambio de tesoros restauração da independência do independence of the Republic of culturales y literarios. Después de la Estado da República do Azerbaijão Azerbaijan on October 18, 1991 restauración de la independencia em 18 de outubro de 1991 e o and the collapse of the USSR, estatal de la República de colapso da URSS, as relações literary relations were free from Azerbaiyán el 18 de octubre de literárias estavam livres de ideological stereotypes and all 1991 y el colapso de la URSS, las estereótipos ideológicos e todas as restrictions. The signing of bilateral relaciones literarias estaban libres restrições. A assinatura de documents between Azerbaijan de estereotipos ideológicos y de documentos bilaterais entre o and Turkey has laid the legal basis todas las restricciones. La firma de Azerbaijão e a Turquia estabeleceu for cooperation in the field of documentos bilaterales entre as bases legais para a cooperação culture, including literature. Azerbaiyán y Turquía ha sentado no campo da cultura, incluindo a las bases jurídicas para la literatura. cooperación en la esfera de la cultura, incluida la literatura.

Palavras-chave: Relações literárias. Keywords: Literary relations. Palabras-clave: Relaciones literarias. Independência. Azerbaijão. Turquia. Independence. Azerbaijan. Turkey. Independencia. Azerbaiyán. Mundo turco. Turkic world. Turquía. Mundo túrquico.

Laplage em Revista (International), vol.7, n. Extra E, Aug. 2021, p.24-31 ISSN: 2446-6220