Hello, have a good day, Teacher Natig.
– Salam.
– How are you?
– Thank you very much, I’m fine. Who is it?
I introduce myself and congratulate him on his birthday.
– Thank you, it was a pleasure.
“I try to celebrate my birthday in Shusha or Lachin”
– Does the speaker teacher like to celebrate birthdays?
– Not so much. That time has already passed and is in the past. (laughs) But it’s good that there are birthdays. You know, “How will you celebrate your birthday, what will you do?” they often ask the question. Especially in the last week, I hear this question a lot. Even so, the best example for me in this regard is our president. How he celebrates his birthdays quietly, without pomp, with his family. That’s how I spend it. About 15 of us celebrate my birthday together as a family. Look like this.
– Speaker, you say that you take an example from Mr. President. Usually, every year on his birthday, on special days, our president visits somewhere, attends opening ceremonies, and is among the people. Especially after our land was freed from occupation. Have you thought of celebrating your birthday in this way in the future?
– It would be nice, of course. I have been in those lands a lot after the victory. I visited Shusha 4 times. It is a great feeling to walk around Azerbaijan. I try to travel as much as possible, but I celebrate my birthday in Shusha or Lachin… I can explain it like this. On my birthday, I need to go somewhere, to those lands. Whether it’s your birthday or not, it’s important to visit them. We should go there and be happy that those lands returned to us after 30 years. I have written a lot on this topic. Two famous films were also made based on my scripts. People’s artist Elkhan Gasimov’s “We will return” and People’s artist Eldar Guliyev’s “Guild” films.
“I am waiting for an answer from the Ministry of Culture”
– Mr. Speaker, you have touched the topic of the next question I want to ask. See, we felt all the emotions and excitement in those movies. After that, something stagnant is felt. Is there a new scenario in the plan? Screen productions as effective as those films are not visible today.
– You are right, it is a correct observation. I have many ideas on this topic. I will even tell you that I have written a very extensive synopsis, it is already ready. Here is the issue, let me explain briefly. Our client is the Ministry of Culture. The script is something that this publishing house did not print, it is not prose, you can take it to another publishing house. The client should get the script and then give it screen life. Therefore, this work is somewhat difficult and complicated. Let’s see, God is kind. I wrote my scripts and applied to the Ministry of Culture. I am waiting for their reply.
“When I was walking down the street, a person I didn’t know approached me…”
– You turn 75 years old. What was the most beautiful gift you received over the years that left a special mark and memory on you?
– This is a great way. The best gift? Let me say. I received one of the most memorable gifts 25 years ago. On the occasion of my 50th anniversary, the great leader Heydar Aliyev awarded me the honorary title of “Honored Art Worker”. 5 years ago, on my birthday, President Ilham Aliyev gave me the honorary title of “People’s Writer” and awarded me with an order. See, these are very precious gifts for me. Another unforgettable gift was given to me by my readers. Not often, but it happened twice. When I was walking along the street, it was still the Soviet era, a person I didn’t know approached me. He was a middle-aged man. As he approached, he said that your books have changed my life. I looked at him in such a way that I could not believe that this man would really say such a thing to me. I would be 35 years old then. He would be about 5-10 years older than me. I said it in my heart, and it means it. Then he started to tell everything. He said that when I was in prison, there was a small library there. I took your book from the library and read it at night and cried. I asked when you got out of prison? He said that for two years: “That book changed my destiny.”
A similar incident happened about a year later. I was sitting in a meeting. A man approached, he would be my age. He also said the following words: “Your book changed my life. He mentioned the name of my specific book. “Night Rider”. He said that after reading this book, it had a serious impact on my life.”
See, these two events are priceless gifts for me. I don’t know how many people’s lives have been affected by my books and works, but in any case, if a writer is recognized by his readers, it means that I have left a pleasant mark on their lives. What could be better than that?!
– I wish you good health.
– Thank you very much.
– So, what do you wish for yourself?
– I to myself? (Laughs) That’s what you said. Because there is nothing more important than that. Indeed, at the age of 75, there is nothing more important than your health. Believe me…
– Then stay safe until your next birthday.
– Thanks.
Jamila Hatamkhanova
#president