Azernews.Az

BAKU – A book describing the life of renowned Azerbaijani oil tycoon and philanthropist Zeynalabdin Taghiyev was presented in Baku last week. BP Azerbaijan, the top foreign investor in the country’s energy sector, financed the publication of the book, entitled "Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev".

Rashid Javanshir, President of BP Azerbaijan, told the presentation that the book is a collaboration between the company’s employees and Azerbaijan’s Museum of History.

"We worked together to look for Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev’s relatives around the world. We even found the granddaughter of his daughter, who currently lives in the United States. She knew absolutely nothing about her prominent great grandfather."

BP Azerbaijan spokesperson Tamam Bayatly spoke of the assistance provided by Taghiyev’s relatives when the book was being prepared.

The book, which was written both in Azeri and English, contains a plethora of descriptive photos.

Academician Nailya Valikhanly, head of the history museum and vice-president of Azerbaijan’s National Academy of Sciences, thanked BP Azerbaijan’s executives for their support. "We just prepared the text, while the rest was done by the company’s staff."

Valikhanly further spoke of Taghiyev’s role in opening the first-ever school for girls in the Muslim Orient.

"Just imagine how happy he would be to know how many educated girls we have here!" she said.

Valikhanly also briefed participants about Taghiyev’s extensive charity undertakings.

"I would very much like for today’s Azerbaijani entrepreneurs to follow suit," she added.

Taghiyev was born on January 25, 1821–1823, or 1838 in Baku and died September 1, 1924 in Mardakan, near Baku.