The Azerbaijan Translation Centre under the Cabinet of Ministers (AzTC) on Friday received a visit from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan H.E. Vitezslav Pivonka. Primary focus was AzTC’s work towards promoting Azerbaijani literature abroad and cultural exchange with foreign literature in Azerbaijan, as well as reforms within all fields involving both language and translation.

After welcoming the guests, AzTC Director Afag Masud underlined a deep interest in Czech language and literature, naming Michal Chernik, Hašek Jaroslav and Milan Kundera whose works were translated into Azerbaijani and published in Khazar world literature magazine.

“The Czech-Azerbaijani dictionary is the first edition in Azerbaijan. I think this dictionary will be high in demand in the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani-Czech relations are successfully developing in all areas, and therefore there is a growing need for oral and written communication. This dictionary will add to inter-literary rapprochement, help translators in their work, and be useful for Azerbaijani students studying the Czech language. One of the editors of the dictionary is Tomaš Lane.”

Vitezslav Pivonka underlined the role of literature in strengthening Czech-Azerbaijani relations.

“It is a fact that literature promotes understanding among peoples,” the Czech Ambassador said. “A person should feel himself part of something that is great within us. Literature, in turn, allows us to preserve this feeling.”

The diplomat also suggested proceeding to the translation and publication of samples of Azerbaijan literature in the Czech Republic and that of Czech literature in Azerbaijan.

In conclusion, Afaq Masud donated to the honorary guest the Czech-Azerbaijani dictionary and other books published by AzTC.

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