News

On 27 February 2026, the National Library presented to its users a virtual exhibition titled “Prominent Writer, People’s Writer Ali Valiyev” and a traditional book exhibition titled “People’s Writer Ali Valiyev – 125” on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the birth of People’s Writer Ali Valiyev, who left a distinctive mark on the development of 20th-century Azerbaijani prose and contributed significantly to the enrichment of the literary language.

The exhibitions feature the writer’s short stories, novellas, novels, essays, feuilletons, tales and legends, as well as books he edited and wrote prefaces for. They also include literature about his life and creative work, memoirs and recollections of prominent figures about him, photographs, and periodical materials.

Those who wish to ознакомиться with the virtual exhibition can visit:
https://anl.az/el/vsb/Eli_Veliyev/index.htm

Ali Gara oghlu Valiyev was born on 27 February 1901 in the village of Agudi, formerly part of the Zangezur district. He received his primary education in his native village, graduated in 1917 from a three-grade Russian school, and in 1923 entered the Shusha Party School. He later continued his studies at the Baku Central Party School and in the lecturers’ group. From 1928 to 1931, he studied at the Pedagogical Faculty (Department of History and Social Sciences) of the Azerbaijan State University (now Baku State University).

Valiyev began his literary career while studying at the Baku Central Party School. As an active worker-peasant correspondent, he contributed to the newspapers “Kommunist,” “Kendli,” “Ganj Ishchi,” and “Yeni Fikir.”

His first collection of short stories, “My Grandmother’s Spinning Wheel,” was published in 1930. He is the author of numerous novellas and novels, including “Hero” (1941), “Frontline Stories” (1942), “Gift” (1944), “Gulshan” (1948), “Chichekli” (1950), “Friends of the Heart” (1956), “A Journalist Comes to the Village” (1963), “Tazagul’s Wisdom” (1965), “A Restless Man” (1966), “Love of Art” (1973), “Toward the Light” (1975), “The Road to Turajli” (1962), “Memories of a Branch” (1963–64), and “Traces Left in Karabakh” (1976). He also wrote works for children such as “Spoiled” (1944), “Madar’s Epic” (1955), “A Gift for Children” (1962), and “To My Dear Grandchildren” (1964), among others.

In 1950, based on the motifs of the novella “Gulshan,” an eponymous ballet composed by the prominent composer Soltan Hajibeyov was staged at the Azerbaijan Opera and Ballet Theatre, and in 1953 at the Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Theatre in Tashkent.

In 1954, the novella “Gulshan” and the novel “Chichekli” were awarded the M.F. Akhundov State Prize of the Republic. His great contributions to the development of Azerbaijani literature were highly appreciated by the state; he was awarded the honorary title of “People’s Writer” and received various orders and medals.

In 2023, within the series “Prominent Figures of Azerbaijan” published by the Azerbaijan National Library, the bibliography “Ali Valiyev: Bibliography” was issued, dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding representative of Azerbaijani literature, People’s Writer Ali Valiyev.