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Azerbaijan's Consulate General in Los Angeles has presented the English version of the renowned Azerbaijani writer Mir Jalal Pashayev's selected short stories book. Published by ADA University in Baku this year, the book was presented for the first time in the United States.

The event was attended by foreign diplomats, members of various communities, religious leaders, journalists, representatives of cultural and literary organizations, Azertac reported.

Opening the event, Azerbaijan's Consul General in Los Angeles Nasimi Aghayev provided an insight into the life, literary works and pedagogical activity of Mir Jalal. Highlighting Mir Jalal's literary legacy, Aghayev pointed out that Mir Jalal is remembered for his originality, for the depth of his vision, humanity, for his pungent sense of humor and memorable characters that he created. Hailing Mir Jalal's tremendous contributions to the development of Azerbaijani literature, scolarship and education, the Consul General stressed that Mir Jalal will always live in the hearts and minds of the Azerbaijani people.

The event then featured the screening of a video clip prepared by the Consulate General on Mir Jalal's life and activity.

In her remarks, Betty Blair, the editor of the aforementioned English version of the writer's selected short stories, drew the the audience' attention to the history of the book. Betty Blair noted that Mir Jalal's short stories poked fun at Soviet bureaucracy which had established itself in his country in 1920 when he was a mere boy of twelve years old. "Mir Jalal's glimpses of everyday life are entertaining, informative and, on occasion, hilariously exaggerated, but they document the psychological transformation of the Soviet society that for generations was rewarded for denying common sense and for stifling personal intuition and initiative."

Following the speeches, Los Angeles-based American actors, Marc Jacobson, Cristina Gerla and Chris Aguila performed three short stories from the presented book, namely "Anket Anketov", "Dried Up in Meetings" and "The Shade of the Willow Tree". Their phoneomenal performance was received with many applauses and ovations by the entire audience.

The event also featured performance of the Azerbaijani and European classical music by young members of the Azerbaijani community – violinist Elvina Gurbanova and vocalist Nail Gurbanov.

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