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At the National Library of Azerbaijan, a virtual exhibition titled “In Memory of People’s Writer Elchin” has been launched in honor of the outstanding representative of Azerbaijani literature—People’s Writer, playwright, novelist, critic, literary scholar, Doctor of Philological Sciences, professor, and public figure Elchin Ilyas oglu Efendiyev.

The exhibition presents a wide range of resources in full text, including official documents, the writer’s short stories, novellas, novels, selected works in Azerbaijani and foreign languages, research on literary criticism, studies on the problem of history and modernity in literature, works on criticism and the literary process, books about Azerbaijani literature and folklore, photographs, and reflections of prominent figures on his life and creativity.

Those wishing to explore the virtual exhibition may do so via the following link: https://anl.az/el/vsb/Elchin/index.htm.

Elchin Ilyas oglu Efendiyev was born on May 13, 1943, in Baku, into the family of one of the great representatives of 20th-century Azerbaijani literature, People’s Writer Ilyas Efendiyev. From childhood, he grew up surrounded by books and immersed in a literary environment. Both Azerbaijani national literature and folklore, as well as world literature, shaped the foundation of his continuous reading and intellectual development.

He began his literary career in the 1960s and became one of the leading representatives of the literary generation known as the “Sixtiers.” His first story, “He Believed” (O inanırdı), was published in the newspaper “Azerbaijan Youth” in 1959, when he was just 16. His first short story collection, “One of a Thousand Nights” (Min gecədən biri), was published by Azerneshr in 1966.

Efendiyev’s rich creative legacy includes novels, novellas, plays, and scholarly-critical works. His novels “Mahmud and Maryam”, “The White Camel”, “The Head”, and “The Standard-Bearers” are considered part of the golden treasury of Azerbaijani literature.

As a dramatist, he was also highly productive, and his plays took a prominent place not only in the repertoire of Azerbaijani theaters but also on stages abroad.

Beyond his literary career, Elchin Efendiyev made significant contributions as a statesman to the development of Azerbaijani statehood and culture. From 1993 to 2018, he served as Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, playing an important role in the country’s socio-political and cultural life. In addition, as chairman of the “Vatan” Society in the late 1980s, he rendered invaluable services in uniting Azerbaijanis living abroad, strengthening their ties with their historical homeland, and contributing to the formation of the diaspora movement.

His services were always highly valued. He was awarded the highest state orders of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including the “Istiglal” (Independence) Order (2003), the “Sharaf” (Honor) Order (2013), the “Shohrat” (Glory) Order (2018), as well as the Honorary Diploma of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2023).