Baku, September 10, AZERTAC

Guivami Rahimli, PhD, professor at Baku State University, has shared with AZERTAC his article commemorating the life and legacy of Abulgasim Huseynzade, an unforgettable figure in Azerbaijani folklore.

Published to mark the remembrance day of the great folklorist, who was born in September and passed away in the same month, the article pays profound tribute to his cherished memory and expresses gratitude to those who have contributed to preserving and keeping alive his rich legacy.

AZERTAC presents the article: “One of the richest and most significant layers of Azerbaijani oral folk literature is its tradition of proverbs and sayings. Abulgasim Huseynzade, renowned for his exceptional contribution to this field, devoted his life to collecting the wisdom of the Azerbaijani people and preserving it for future generations. The thousands of proverbs he gathered constitute a living reflection of the nation’s spiritual heritage and collective wisdom.

What is particularly remarkable is that Abulgasim Huseynzade himself seemed almost like a proverb brought to life - his appearance, manner of speaking, and way of life all seemed to embody a profound sense of wisdom. Through his dedication and tireless efforts, hundreds of proverbs were rescued from oblivion, recorded in writing, and preserved for generations to come.

Although Abulgasim Huseynzade passed away in September 1988, the wisdom he collected continues to live on, preserving his voice and his legacy in the cultural memory of the Azerbaijani people.

His life story is intertwined with the memory of such a renowned philanthropist as Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. When his father, Nurmahammad, lost his sight as a result of an accident at work, it was Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev’s support that enabled the young Abulgasim to leave the mollakhana, a traditional religious school, and enroll in a Russian-Tatar school. For seven years, he received a monthly allowance from Taghiyev’s administration to cover his school expenses - a gesture of support that would change the course of his life. This fact alone represents an important chapter not only in Abulgasim Huseynzade’s life, but also in the broader history of enlightenment and education in Azerbaijan.

Abulgasim Huseynzade being honoured by the leadership of the Republic

Abulgasim Huseynzade’s conversations, philosophy of life, and manner of conduct seemed like a living interpretation of a proverb.

Through the extraordinary power of his memory, he carried the past into the present, revealing glimpses of folk wisdom even in the simplest of everyday conversations and allowing the wisdom of generations to resonate anew.

Abulgasim Huseynzade (left) with the renowned Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet during his hospital stay

The role of Academician Rafael Huseyn, Director of the National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi, in preserving and keeping alive the legacy of Abulgasim Huseynzade deserves special recognition. He has been one of the foremost custodians of this invaluable heritage, ensuring that it is carefully preserved, studied, and passed on to future generations.

Rafael Huseyn has conducted valuable research into the life and work of the great folklorist, recording his conversations, recollections, and memories in writing and thus rescuing them from oblivion. He is not merely a researcher, but also a guardian of memory - a devoted custodian of our national and cultural heritage, committed to ensuring that these values continue to reach future generations.

Thanks to the writings and materials he has carefully prepared, Abulgasim Huseynzade remains a living presence in our collective memory. It is through Rafael Huseyn’s efforts that we can still hear the great folklorist’s voice, sense the warmth of his conversations, and glimpse the world of wisdom he carried within him.

Through Rafael Huseyn’s efforts, the name of Abulgasim Huseynzade has been immortalized not only in our collective memory, but also in scholarly works and journalistic publications.

In his articles published in the press, Rafael Huseyn has shed light on the life and work of Abulgasim Huseynzade and highlighted the significance of the proverbs he collected. He has also appeared on radio and television programmes, bringing to the public Abulgasim’s life story, memories, and rich treasury of folklore. Through these appearances, the legacy of the great folklorist has continued to live on not only in written sources, but also through the enduring power of the spoken word.

I was also fortunate to contribute to this work. In support of Rafael Huseyn’s initiatives, I organized an unforgettable gathering at our summer house. The meeting brought together Abulgasim Huseynzade’s son, Farhad, his son-in-law, Seyfi, and his grandson, Khayyam.

The conversations were fascinating, sincere, and deeply moving. The memories shared by the family members added new depth and warmth to our understanding of Abulgasim Huseynzade. Rafael Huseyn listened attentively and took notes, later drawing on these precious family memories in his research. The photographs from that gathering have also preserved those special moments, giving them a lasting place in our shared memory.

Organizing meetings with Abulgasim Huseynzade’s family, gathering archival materials, and supporting Rafael Huseyn’s research - I regard all of this simply as a responsibility to our cultural heritage. The legacy of people such as Abulgasim Huseynzade should not remain confined to libraries and archives; it should continue to live in the collective memory of society. For me, being part of this effort is more than a responsibility - it is a personal mission to carry the enduring spirit and legacy of enlightened souls into the future.

In fact, my connection with Abulgasim Huseynzade began much earlier, during my university years. While I was still a student, my first published scholarly work focused on a comparative analysis of English and Azerbaijani proverbs. In that research, the collection of proverbs compiled by Abulgasim Huseynzade was one of my principal sources when examining examples from the Azerbaijani language.

At the time, my connection to this great folklorist was purely that of a young scholar drawing inspiration from his work. Yet fate later took an unexpected and remarkable turn: I married a member of his family. Thus, a figure whose work had influenced me in my academic pursuits eventually became an inseparable part of my personal life as well. For me, this was more than a happy coincidence - it was a beautiful gift of fate.

Time is a strange and powerful force. It can suddenly illuminate memories hidden deep within us and bring back voices that have long remained behind the veil of the years.

As I reflect on this journey, I am reminded once again that the influence of enlightened souls never fades. Both Abulgasim Huseynzade and Rafael Huseyn are luminous figures who have helped preserve the continuity of Azerbaijani collective memory. They continue to live in our memories and in our words, while their dedication and enduring contributions keep their legacy alive for generations to come.

Source: azertag.az