A delegation from the Translation Centre under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AzTC), headed by its Director Afag Masud, has met with representatives of the Czech Center of the International PEN Club associating the Czech authors (České centrum Mezinárodního PEN klubu) within the frame of the 21st International Book Fair and Literary Festival in Prague.

The delegation from Azerbaijan, who visited the Czech PEN Office, in the Klementinum, an historical baroque building in the Staré Mešto, was welcomed by Jiří Dědeček, President. He spoke about literary cooperation ties between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

“The Pen Club is the leading association of writers, working to publish books by foreign writers and promote literature around the world, as well as to organize literary festivals in Prague. Your organization, engaged in translating examples of Azerbaijani-language literary works into foreign languages, promotes literary ties between the two countries. I believe that each translated example of Azerbaijani literature into the Czech language and vice versa is an important step towards the rapprochement between both nations. We want Czech readers to enjoy reading translated pieces of contemporary Azerbaijani literature. And we will soon present your Centre the list of authors and their books to be translated into Azerbaijani,” he said.

Afag Masud, in turn, said AzTC carries out diversified and broad activities in the field of language and translation: “The aim of our meeting is to establish literary ties and promote literature of both countries.  We have visited your National Library. Unfortunately, we found no pieces of Azerbaijani literature, except for Nizami Ganjavi. However, Azerbaijan’s literary history is a treasure indeed. So, we want Czech readers to be aware of this treasure,” she added.

The meeting was also attended by Helena Provazníková, Desk Officer, International Relations Department, Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, Eldar Valiyev, Country Director, Azerbaijan Student Network in the Czech Republic, Zakir Fakhri, deputy Chief Editor of Khazar World Literature magazine, and representatives of Czech poetry and prose.

Notably, the Translation Centre represents Azerbaijan at the 21st International Book Fair and Literary Festival.