Azernews.Az

Award-winning US magazine World Literature Today has advised its readers to read works by a number of outstanding writers of the post-Soviet era. The list includes three prominent Azerbaijani writers, including Sabir Ahmadli, the late author of numerous books and journalist.

Ahmadli was born in 1930 in Jabrayil, one of the regions currently under Armenian occupation. He graduated from the Azerbaijan State University (ASU) in 1951 and worked as a teacher in his native Jabrayil for five years. After moving to the capital Baku in 1956, he started working for the Literature and Art newspaper as a literary man, then headed the department of prose and was further promoted to the position of the publication`s editor-in-chief, which he held from 1993-96.

In 1961, 30-year-old Ahmadli published his first book, ``An evening in fall``, which consisted of novels and short stories. This was followed by the publication of his other books, including ``Aran``, ``Steps``, ``Unseen wave``, ``A sign on the slope``, ``Togana``, ``Boats floating in the Yasamal lake``, ``Blue dome``, ``Return of those gone``, ``Measure of the world``, ``January stories``, ``The mass``, ``Craving for afterlife``, and ``The martyr`s spirit``. Ahmadli`s works were of great interest for the literary community. One of the peculiarities in Ahmadli`s writing was that he captivated the readers by telling the plain truth and assessing the developments objectively.

Ahmadli brought a new touch to the Azerbaijani prose. With his literary works full of the sentiments of patriotism, he made a tremendous contribution to the national literature and played a great role in nurturing many generations of patriotic Azerbaijanis. His works have been translated into a number of languages. Ahmadli has been honored with the titles of People`s Writer and Honorary Art Figure. He also chaired the Union of Writers Awards Council.

Ahmadli`s elder brother had volunteered to fight the Nazis during World War II. He fell heroically in the battles while holding the rank of lieutenant and was posthumously named Hero of the Soviet Union, the USSR`s top award. His son, Mahammad, volunteered to go to the frontline in 1994 to free the occupied Azerbaijani territories from Armenian invaders and was killed in fighting.

Sabir Ahmadli, a man who was strong both physically and morally and whose will could not be broken by the Soviet regime, could not cope with the loss of his son and died on April 17, 2009.