Presentation of books published by the Translation Centre under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Republic was held in one of the main halls of the Prague International Book Fair.

The ceremony was attended by the head of the Prague Book Fair, Mrs. Dana Kalimova, representatives of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, the Embassy of Azerbaijan Republic in the Czech Republic, and "Azerbaijan Student Network", famous poets, translators, and readers.

In her opening remarks, Director Afag Masud focused on the care provided by the Azerbaijan Government in the sphere of language and translation, and on the work done by the Translation Centre on an international scale. "Today, we are working on several projects aimed at popularizing Azerbaijani literature in the world,” she said. "We are preparing an Anthology of Modern Azerbaijan Literature" to be published in multiple languages. The two-volume edition, translated into the Russian language, will be available to readers in Moscow. And we expect this year the presentation and publication of the anthology in the Belarusian language in Minsk, and in Arabic language in Cairo. Currently, we are working on the translation of this book into English, German and Turkish, which includes a selection of literary works of the 20th and 21st centuries. We have signed agreements with the aforementioned countries, that this book will be translated by native speakers and released in the publishing houses of those countries. We are very pleased that, within the framework of the Prague Book Fair, we have met professional translators who could translate both prosaic and poetic samples of this anthology into the Czech language. We are also planning to translate and publish into Azerbaijani the best works of contemporary Czech writers. Today, Azerbaijan literature is one of the literary highlights in the world. You are probably familiar with the names of geniuses, such as Nizami, Fuzuli and Nasimi. Now , this great literature continues in Azerbaijan. "

Then the floor was given to Zakir Fakhri, a poet.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”, - he cited. “This is an excerpt from the holy Bible. As you can see, this holy book also says that the word is a bridge between a man and God.  Prayer addressed to God are clothed in words. Communication between people also becomes possible through words. In the book 'Masterpieces of World Poetry' published by the Centre, includes works by the most outstanding representatives of the world poetry. I translated the poems into the Azerbaijani language, relying on word-for-word translation of the original. In the process of translation, I came to a conclusion that all great poets and their metaphysical ideas are fed from a single source. So, it was the same for centuries - peace, love, goodness carried writers and poets, who alien to all worldly things.”, the speaker added.

“Literature means love and tolerance, compassion and mercy. I would like the participants to watch the first European Games to be held soon in Baku. The purpose of this action is to send a message of peace around the world. The world has become a field of continuous battles and wars. This event is a call to dedicate your force not to wars and arming, but to serve the sport that bestows health to mankind, humanity and spirit”, he concluded.

Poems of Azerbaijani poets were sounded in the English language at the event.

Dana Kalinova, Head of the International Prague Book Fair, Helena Provaznikova, Head of International Relations Department of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and Farid Shafiev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Czech Republic received awards for their contribution to promoting bilateral relations. 

A meeting with Zakir Fakhri was arranged as part of the fair. The poet shared his thoughts about literature and poetry, read his poems and responded to the questions fielded by participants.

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