On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Azerbaijani writer, playwright, poet, philologist, public figure, Doctor of Philology, and State Prize laureate Shikhali Gurbanov, the National Library has opened a traditional book exhibition titled “Shikhali Gurbanov – 100,” Azernews reports.
According to the National Library, the exhibition features Gurbanov’s literary works, poems, materials on his life and creative path, and his scientific and literary legacy, along with books and periodicals in both Azerbaijani and Russian.
Shikhali Gurbanov, who held a special place in Azerbaijani literature and public life, graduated from the Azerbaijan Pedagogical Institute (now ADPU) in 1950, later becoming a postgraduate student at the Department of Azerbaijani Literature while also teaching Russian literature.
In June 1956, he defended his dissertation on “A.S. Pushkin and Azerbaijani Poetry” and earned the degree of Candidate of Philological Sciences. Beginning in January 1958, he worked as a senior lecturer and associate professor at the Pedagogical Institute. Between 1961 and 1966, he served as head of the Department of Literary Relations at the Nizami Institute of Literature and Language of the Academy of Sciences of the Azerbaijan SSR. In 1964, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philology. Throughout his career, he also held various social and political positions.
Between 1958 and 1961, he authored a number of stage plays, including “The Chief is Busy,” “We Got into Trouble,” “We Decide Ourselves,” “If Not This Way, Then That,” and “Without You,” as well as the libretto “Bahadir and Sona.” His 1966 comedy “The Millionaire’s Beggar Son” was performed in theaters for many years.
Gurbanov’s lyrical poems, narrative poems, short stories, and critical essays were regularly published in the press.
He was the recipient of several orders and medals and, in 1967, was awarded the State Prize of the Republic named after Uzeyir Hajibeyov.
