BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Many of us have
passed by the Mirza Fatali Akhundzade National Library dozens of
times, the country's main book depository, located in the very
center of Baku. We hurried about our business, made appointments at
the Sahil Garden, and admired the austere architecture of the
library building.… And almost always our gaze glided higher - along
the majestic facade, where stone figures of prominent figures of
world and Azerbaijani culture were frozen in the loggias, like
timekeepers. But have we ever wondered whose statues are installed
there and who are their authors? Trend presents interesting articles for readers,
illustrated with photographs by Arif Guluzade.
The history of the National Library dates back to May 23, 1923.
In the first years of its existence, it was housed in just a few
rooms of the building of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, which
naturally limited its development.
In 1939, the library was named after the outstanding Azerbaijani
thinker, playwright, and publisher Mirza Fatali Akhundzade. Over
time, the library’s collection grew rapidly, the number of readers
increased, and the need for a new, spacious building became
obvious.
The modern library building was constructed in 1960 based on the
design of the outstanding architect Mikayil Useynov. A significant
role in choosing the site and implementing the construction was
played by the well-known writer Suleyman Rahimov. At the beginning
of 1961, the library began operating in its new building.
The conditions created here and the work of highly qualified
specialists laid a solid foundation for the further development of
the library as one of the country’s key cultural and intellectual
centers.
The southern façade of the building faces Khagani Street,
offering a view of Sahil garden; the eastern façade faces Rashid
Behbudov Street, where the State Song Theater, named after the
legendary performer, is located nearby, and a monument in his honor
has been erected.
Precisely, the library facades became not only an architectural
but also an artistic manifesto of the epoch. On the large terrace,
in the loggias of the facades, 15 statues of outstanding
representatives of Azerbaijani and world culture are installed.
From left to right, they are arranged in the following order:
- Nizami Ganjavi (1141–1209) — Azerbaijani poet
- Shota Rustaveli (12th century) — Georgian poet
- Alexander Pushkin (1799–1837) — Russian poet
- Mahsati Ganjavi (12th century) — Azerbaijani poetess
- Dmitri Mendeleev (1834–1907) — Russian scientist
- Hasan bey Zardabi (1842–1907) — Azerbaijani enlightener
- Maxim Gorky (1868–1936) — Russian writer
- Uzeyir Hajibayli (1885–1948) — Azerbaijani composer
- Samad Vurgun (1906–1956) — Azerbaijani poet
- Bulbul (1897–1961) — Azerbaijani opera singer
- Niyazi (1912–1984) — Azerbaijani conductor and composer
- Rasul Rza (1910–1981) — Azerbaijani poet
- Mirza Alakbar Sabir (1862–1911) — Azerbaijani poet
- Ajami Nakhchivani (12th century) — Azerbaijani architect
- Soltan Muhammad (16th century) — representative of the Tabriz
school of miniature painting.
The creators of these monumental sculptures include some of
Azerbaijan’s most distinguished sculptors — Ahmet Tsalikov, Elmira
Huseynova, Hayat Abdullayeva, Namig Dadashov, and Zakir
Ahmadov.
The statues of figures such as Bulbul, Niyazi, Rasul Rza, Ajami
Nakhchivani, Mirza Alakbar Sabir, and Soltan Muhammad, situated on
the loggia of the eastern façade, were installed after the
sculptures adorning the main southern façade.
As one approaches the National Library, it is worth taking a
moment to pause and gaze upwards. These stone figures transcend
mere ornamentation; they represent a quiet yet profound dialogue
across eras, where the realms of literature, science, music, and
art appear to stand watch over the library's most invaluable
treasure — knowledge.
