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A musical evening devoted to the literary and artistic creativity of Mikhail Lermontov took place within the framework of the events associated with the 200th anniversary of the eminent poet at the Heydar Aliyev Center, December 22.

Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, Vice-president of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva attended the event.

Mehriban Aliyeva, Leyla Aliyeva, Arzu Aliyeva and President of “Lermontov Legacy” Association Mikhail Lermontov first acquainted themselves with an exhibition arranged in connection with the 200th  jubilee of the poet.

Leyla Aliyeva addressed the ceremony:

- Distinguished Guests, dear Friends!

First of all, I welcome all of you to Baku. Today, a very nice event - the 200th anniversary of Mikhail Yuriyevich Lermontov - brought us together. I know that this date is marked in a number of countries, as the genius of Lermontov belongs to the whole world.

His creativity has greatly contributed  the world culture and was loved by all nations. He is loved both in the West and in the East. Lermontov’s poetry is a bright civic stand, deep philosophy and delicate love lyrics. It’s well known that most of his works Lermontov wrote while in exile in the Caucasus. Being an artist and poet, he was overly inspired by bright colours of the Caucasian mountains, forests and rivers. He enriched his works by colours of the local traditions. Majority of his characters were citizens of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Chechenistan and Dagestan. He has also showed us how significant cultural diversity may be.

The great Russian culture and literature have always been approached with deep love and respect in Azerbaijan. Today, the Russian language is being taught  in Azerbaijani schools in full volume, and the Russian Drama Theatre, the Russian Culture Centre, the Baku Slavic University and the Baku Branch of the Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov are operating in Azerbaijan. Certainly, we take proud in Lermontov’s learning the language of Azerbaijan. He used to note that the Azerbaijani language is as important for Asia as the French language for Europe.

 Great educationist, philosopher and founder of Azerbaijani dramaturgy Mirza Fatali Akhundov was Lermontov’s teacher. Kind and sincere friendship and infinite love and respect for great Pushkin’s talent tied them. To me, this once more emphasizes how old and deep the roots linking Azerbaijan with Russia were. As it has always been, today too, Lermontov is loved in Azerbaijan. One of the central streets in Baku is named after him, and the museum of Lermontov is operating in Gusar. This is the house where the poet stayed.

Dear friends, today we are marking the 200th anniversary of Mikhail Yuriyevich Lermontov. Personally for me, he is still living. He has been living in the hearts of people all over the world. He has been living in the hearts of the young and the old. You have already made yourself acquainted with the exhibition comprised of works by the youngest artists of Azerbaijan. Marking the poet’s jubilee today, Azerbaijan is showing its respect and love for him.

Thank you for your attention and enjoy the evening. Thank you.

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Speaking later, Mikhail Lermontov underscored that the poet’s memorable works were created in the Caucasus, and expressed pleasure of the respect shown toward the poet’s creativity. He thanked the initiator and organizers of the event.

Then works associated with the poet’s creativity, fragments from movies and poems were presented to the audience by persons of culture and art of Azerbaijan and Russia, accompanied by the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra named after Uzeir Hajibeyli and the Azerbaijan State Coir. The event was finalized by a world premiere of the work “Angel”.

After the event, Mehriban Aliyeva met well-known persons of art Pierre Sheremetyev, Huguette Sheremetyeva and Colette Tolstoy, who attended the event. The guests thanked Mehriban Aliyeva for the organization of an event associated with the 200th anniversary of Lermontov.