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Azerbaijani writer misses his Armenian friends, wishes to visit Armenia
TERT.AM
16:40 - 02.02.13
Azerbaijani writer Ekrem Eylisli's `Stone Dreams' novel caused hot
discussions both in Azerbaijan and outside of it provoking uproar in
Baku with Azeri lawmakers denouncing the work and protesters burning
the author's portrait outside his house.
`Stone Dreams' was issued in December dedicated to the Armenians who
lived in Azerbaijan. `I dedicate it to the memory of my compatriots
that left a great pain after them,' Eylisli wrote in preamble.
`Both parties must repent and overcome the hostility. This is the main
topic of the novel,' Russian literary critic Lev Aninski wrote.
Russian Regnum news agency's correspondent talked with the author to
learn his attitude toward the responses to the novel and what steps he
is going to undertake.
Asked whether he expected such a response, the writer said at least he
did not think that it would remain unnoticed. `I have always thought
that I am living in progressive, democratic country where freedom of
expression is guaranteed. My critics seem not to care about the
Constitution. They just want to tense the situation, distort the sense
of the novel, and are trying to mix up it with politics. `Stone
Dreams' is a feature work. That's it,' he said.
Asked whether the pressures on him can make him stop his literary
activity, the author said he has never hidden his approaches over
Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Karabakh conflict. `I am not going to
change my position, I will come up in favor of peace, friendship and
restoration of friendly relations I miss,' he said.
The writer also said he is sure the young people burning his photos
near his home have not even read his novel. `Their action is of no
public significance because they are just implementing the order.
Besides, there is quite another youth in Azerbaijan. Many are calling
me expressing gratitude and congratulating on the release of the book.
Many in our country begin understanding the essence of the tragedy
between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. Currently Azerbaijan is other
country and I want Armenia to become so too. I am being accused of
betrayal but I am very much devoted to my people and I want peace
between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. Anyway, our peoples are going to
live side by side and they need peace,' he said.
The author said the demonstrations against him are ordered by
authorities who use the conflict for their promotion. `I notice that
our authorities are not interested in the settlement of the conflict.
Neither Armenians nor Azerbaijanis are to be blamed of what happened
but those who paved their way forward through it,' he said.
Asked whether he wants to visit Armenia or not, the author said, `if
everything is regulated he will visit Yerevan with great pleasure. It
is possible to organize different events between the art and culture
figures of Armenia and Azerbaijan. I was always for it,' he said,
stressing that in case of convenient occasion he will visit Armenia
with pleasure. `I had many Armenian friends and relatives, many of
them are dead. I especially miss Hrant Matevosyan [Armenian prose
writer], my friend who died in 2002. I wish I could see him again...'
TERT.AM
16:40 - 02.02.13
Azerbaijani writer Ekrem Eylisli's `Stone Dreams' novel caused hot
discussions both in Azerbaijan and outside of it provoking uproar in
Baku with Azeri lawmakers denouncing the work and protesters burning
the author's portrait outside his house.
`Stone Dreams' was issued in December dedicated to the Armenians who
lived in Azerbaijan. `I dedicate it to the memory of my compatriots
that left a great pain after them,' Eylisli wrote in preamble.
`Both parties must repent and overcome the hostility. This is the main
topic of the novel,' Russian literary critic Lev Aninski wrote.
Russian Regnum news agency's correspondent talked with the author to
learn his attitude toward the responses to the novel and what steps he
is going to undertake.
Asked whether he expected such a response, the writer said at least he
did not think that it would remain unnoticed. `I have always thought
that I am living in progressive, democratic country where freedom of
expression is guaranteed. My critics seem not to care about the
Constitution. They just want to tense the situation, distort the sense
of the novel, and are trying to mix up it with politics. `Stone
Dreams' is a feature work. That's it,' he said.
Asked whether the pressures on him can make him stop his literary
activity, the author said he has never hidden his approaches over
Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Karabakh conflict. `I am not going to
change my position, I will come up in favor of peace, friendship and
restoration of friendly relations I miss,' he said.
The writer also said he is sure the young people burning his photos
near his home have not even read his novel. `Their action is of no
public significance because they are just implementing the order.
Besides, there is quite another youth in Azerbaijan. Many are calling
me expressing gratitude and congratulating on the release of the book.
Many in our country begin understanding the essence of the tragedy
between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. Currently Azerbaijan is other
country and I want Armenia to become so too. I am being accused of
betrayal but I am very much devoted to my people and I want peace
between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. Anyway, our peoples are going to
live side by side and they need peace,' he said.
The author said the demonstrations against him are ordered by
authorities who use the conflict for their promotion. `I notice that
our authorities are not interested in the settlement of the conflict.
Neither Armenians nor Azerbaijanis are to be blamed of what happened
but those who paved their way forward through it,' he said.
Asked whether he wants to visit Armenia or not, the author said, `if
everything is regulated he will visit Yerevan with great pleasure. It
is possible to organize different events between the art and culture
figures of Armenia and Azerbaijan. I was always for it,' he said,
stressing that in case of convenient occasion he will visit Armenia
with pleasure. `I had many Armenian friends and relatives, many of
them are dead. I especially miss Hrant Matevosyan [Armenian prose
writer], my friend who died in 2002. I wish I could see him again...'