The Azerbaijan Translation Centre under the Cabinet of Ministers (AzTC) on Monday received a visit from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Azerbaijan Mme Aurélia Bouchez.

After greeting the French diplomat, AzTC Director Afag Masud highlighted the works by French authors translated into the Azerbaijani language. “French translations hold a specific place among the translated and published world literature samples. Works by well-known French writers, among them Georges Simenon, Marcel Proust, François Mauriac, Arthur Rimbaud, Olivier Roland, Louis Ferdinand Céline, Paul Verlaine, Michel Houellebecq, Jean Echenoz, Marguerite Duras were translated into Azerbaijani in the 90s, and they were popular with the people at large. Last year, we translated and published selections by Patrick Modiano, the 2014 Nobel Prize recipient in literature. AzTC seeks to promote Azerbaijan’s literature across the world, and to this end, we have been translating into many languages the two-volume book ‘An Anthology of Modern Azerbaijan Literature’ being published in many countries. This work has already been translated into Russian and published in Moscow. We also expect to publish it in Egypt and other Arabic-speaking countries, as well as in Turkish in Ankara in the nearest future. In respect to the perfect French translation of the Anthology, we have plans to establish relations with relevant institutions in France, and of course, we are keen to realize this project jointly with French translators, writers, and poets. Unfortunately, the translation as a discipline is not thoroughly taught at higher education institutions, and we have to launch such kind of projects jointly with related institutions in native-speaking countries. Literary translation, as you know, is not only the understanding of a language, it is also an artwork. At the same time, the translation is the mirror of our national literature, and of our mentality.

The Ambassador, in turn, expressed her gratitude for the invitation to visit the Center.

“What gladdens me is that you have an increased focus on French literature, and I do feel pride in this large-scale action to popularize French literature through Azerbaijani translations. Literature is what implies the shortest and durable way of mutual understanding between peoples,” she said.

It is also praiseworthy that the popularization of Azerbaijani literature through French translations would form the basis for literary and spiritual bridges between the two countries, according to the French diplomat. “We are poised to offer our support in this problem. Accordingly, we will contact our minister of culture and other relevant bodies handling translation and publication issues in order to help your Centre with the translation and publication of the anthology.”  

In conclusion, Afaq Masud donated to the honorary guest Patrick Modiano's book published by AzTC.

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