Novel by Aziza Jafarzade "Baku 1501" published in English in Sweden

On December 15, in Sweden, the publishing house Lava released in English the work of the distinguished Azerbaijani writer, Doctor of Philological Sciences, translator, and professor Aziza Jafarzade, whose creativity is marked by pronounced patriotic themes and deep respect for historical heritage, The Daily Baku reports.

The translation and editorial preparation of the edition were carried out by Azerbaijani scholar residing in Sweden, Associate Professor at the University of Gothenburg, Doctor of Sciences Saadat Karimi. The book was published at the request of the writer’s son, Turan Ibrahim. The cover design, reflecting the spirit of the work, was created by the artist Fuad Tahir Manafov, whose oeuvre includes numerous pieces dedicated to old Baku.

The novel “Baku 1501” portrays events of the early 16th century—a period when Azerbaijan already existed as a historical and political reality. It depicts the wars and religious conflicts of that time, the rise of the Safavid dynasty, the Qizilbash army’s campaign on Shamakhi and the Baku fortress, as well as the multifaceted image of the first Safavid ruler, Shah Ismail Khatai, presented as a sovereign, commander, and poet.

This new edition opens for European readers one of the key chapters of Azerbaijan’s history and offers an opportunity to explore the artistic heritage of a writer whose name holds a special place in national literature. In January, Lava publishing house plans to hold an official presentation of the book for the general public.