Contemporary Azerbaijani–Georgian Literary Relations: Madad Chobanov and Leyla Eradze

The article examines Azerbaijani–Georgian literary relations. It is noted that since the 1930s, Azerbaijani and Georgian literary connections have developed in parallel within the sphere of artistic thought—particularly in poetry—as well as in the field of scholarship. However, these relations were shaped not by inertia but through the creative interaction of individual personalities. Just as personalities formed the literary environment, they also established and advanced literary relations.

The friendship between S.Vurgun and K.Kaladze, S.Vurgun and G.Leonidze, S.Vurgun and L.Eradze, and L.Eradze and D.Aliyeva— which reached its peak in terms of scientific, artistic translation, and literary collaboration in the mid-20th century—was later continued in a new context by Leyla Eradze and Madad Chobanov. This scholarly, literary, and artistic tandem entered a new stage of development in Azerbaijani and Georgian literature. Within a short time, these friendly relations reached a new level in the domains of literary studies, poetry, artistic translation, and cultural exchange.

There were, of course, certain reasons for this. First of all, Professor M.Chobanov was born and raised in Georgia, received both his secondary and higher education there, and lived in Georgia for about sixty years. For a long period, he worked as a lecturer, professor, deputy head, and later head of the Department of Azerbaijani Language and Literature at the same university where he had studied. Although he later lived in Baku, he maintained close ties with Georgia until the end of his life, regularly visiting the country at least four or five times a year. He met with his former Georgian colleagues as well as Azerbaijani poets and writers living in Georgia, actively participated in the literary life of Tbilisi, and contributed to the ongoing literary processes there. A series of articles about his life and work was published in the Georgian press, further strengthening the friendship between the Azerbaijani and Georgian peoples.

The well-known Georgian poet, literary scholar, translator, and diplomat Leyla Eradze began to gain recognition in the Azerbaijani literary community from the mid-20th century as one of the most passionate translators, researchers, and promoters of Azerbaijani literature. She soon established herself as a master in this field. Her significant contributions to translating and popularizing Azerbaijani literature into Georgian earned her the honorary title of “Honored Cultural Worker of Azerbaijan.” She also took an active part in numerous cultural and literary events held in Azerbaijan, devoted great effort to expanding cultural and literary relations between the two neighboring and friendly nations, and became known as an active public figure.

In short, the special place occupied by the theme of Georgia in M.Chobanov’s works and the theme of Azerbaijan in L.Eradze’s writings not only revealed the literary, cultural, and spiritual heritage of both peoples but also accelerated the multifaceted nature of their literary and cultural relations, promoting mutual influence and enrichment. This long-standing friendship entered a new phase of development. The reflection of Azerbaijani–Georgian friendship in literature reached a new level in the works of these two scholars, found broad resonance in academic thought, and thus enriched Azerbaijani–Georgian literary relations even further.

Keywords: Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani, Georgia, Georgian, Azerbaijani–Georgian, contemporary, literature, work, travel, friendship, poet, writer, creativity, literary relations, literary translation, translator, Madad Chobanov, Leyla Eradze, I Love Georgia, Songs of Friendship

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