On 16 June 2026, a round table entitled “Samad Vurgun–120” was held to mark the 120th anniversary of the birth of Samad Vurgun, Azerbaijan’s first People’s Poet, an outstanding playwright, literary scholar, and public figure. 
  
The event opened with an artistic programme. The composition “Ey Vatan” (“O Homeland”), set to the words of Samad Vurgun by the great Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli, was performed by the Jahangir Jahangirov Choir (Artistic Director: Honoured Teacher and Associate Professor Tarana Yusifova).
 
The official part of the event commenced with opening remarks by the Director of the Presidential Library, Professor Afet Abbasova. In her speech, Professor Abbasova spoke about the great attention and care shown by National Leader Heydar Aliyev towards Azerbaijani culture, its prominent representatives, and, in particular, the work and legacy of Samad Vurgun. Emphasizing the important role played by the Vekilov family, to which Samad Vurgun belonged, in the history of Azerbaijani statehood and in the country’s socio-political life, she noted that during the period of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, three members of this family served as deputies in Parliament and participated in the building of the young republic. She also pointed out that representatives of the family took an active part in the battles fought for the defence and liberation of Azerbaijani lands in the Daralayaz district under the leadership of the People’s Hero Balo bey Vekilov. Afet Abbasova noted that National Leader Heydar Aliyev initiated state support for Samad Vurgun’s legacy and that this tradition is being successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev.

Following the official opening, a comprehensive video presentation reflecting the poet’s rich life and creative journey was screened. A virtual exhibition dedicated to the legacy of Samad Vurgun, prepared by the staff of the Presidential Library, was then presented.

Presentations were delivered at the round table on Samad Vurgun’s contributions to the development of Azerbaijani literature and language, as well as his work as a dramatist. Professor Mahira Huseynova, Vice-Rector for International Relations at Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University; People’s Writer of Azerbaijan Chingiz Abdullayev; Aslan Salmansoy, Doctor of Philosophy in Philology; writer and publicist, Associate Professor Sharaf Jalilli; and Nushaba Vekilova, Head of the Vagif Samadoglu Centre, analysed various aspects of the poet’s legacy.

The programme, held in the Conference Hall, concluded with closing remarks by Professor Afet Abbasova. 

The second part of the event was held in the Art Literature Hall of the Presidential Library. The artistic programme continued with musical and poetry performances dedicated to the work of Samad Vurgun. Members of Children and Youth Development Centre No. 3 of Baku City recited the poet’s works “Azərbaycan” (“Azerbaijan”), “Bayram qabağı” (“On the Eve of the Holiday”), “Ananın öyüdü” (“A Mother’s Advice”), and “Şair, nə tez qocaldın sən” (“Poet, How Quickly You Have Grown Old”). A chamber ensemble of the Jahangir Jahangirov Choir presented the composition “Azərbaycan” (“Azerbaijan”), based on music by Said Rustamov and Alakbar Tagiyev, as well as Emin Sabitoglu’s work “Dağlar” (“Mountains”). The programme also featured Said Rustamov’s song “Oxu gözəl” (“Sing, Beauty”), performed by choir member Ravan Gachayev.

As part of the programme, Honoured Artist Ilham Nazarov performed the romance “Bir diyarın eşqinə” (“For the Love of a Land”), composed by Sevda Ibrahimova to the words of Samad Vurgun, accompanied by Vurgun Vekilov. Pianist and international competition laureate Saida Tagizade also performed a piece from the soundtrack of the film “İnsan məskən salır” (“Man Builds a Home”). The musical and artistic programme was warmly received by the participants.