By Vestnik Kavkaza
The exhibition of a People’s Artist of the USSR and Azerbaijan, Togrul Narimanbekov, titled “Dede Gorgud” opened in the All-Russian State Foreign Literature Library in Moscow. The exhibition includes about 30 illustrations created by the artist after the Turk-Oguz epos, “Dede Gorgud,” interpreted by a People’s Writer of Azerbaijan, Anar. The initiators of the exhibition are Mardzhani Scientific and Cultural Programs Fund, the All-Russian State Foreign Literature Library, and the Azerbaijani Cultural Center.
“One of the major artists of Azerbaijan of the 20th century, Togrul Narimanbekov, had a lot of talents,” Nisa Mustafayeva, the head of the Azerbaijani Cultural Center, says. “He was a very talented person, had wonderful baritone; he could have become an opera singer, but wanted to be an artist. He was a well-known master, when he started illustrating books and succeeded in it. However, it didn’t matter what troubles he faced, all his works were full of light, love, and love to life.”
Togrul’s grandfather Amirbek Narimanbekov was a governor of Baku. His son Farman was sent by the government of the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic to Europe among 40 other experts. Togrul’s father studied in Toulouse where he married a French dressmaker, Irma la Rude. “Togrul Narimanbekov is the pledge of love of two people,” Nigyar Akhundova, the aide of the Azerbaijani embassy in Russia on humanitarian affairs. “They had wonderful sons, outstanding artists, People’s artists of Azerbaijan Vidadi and Togrul Narimanbekov. And the love is reflected in Azerbaijani art and Azerbaijani culture. Their children are artists as well. I mean a wonderful artist Asmer Narimanbekov who lives in Paris. Nigyar Narimanbekova, Vidadi’s daughter, also lives in Paris. The family breathes, lives and exists in culture, in art. I talked to Asmer Narimanbekova yesterday. I told her about the exhibition. She asked me to express her gratitude and congratulations. And she asked me to tell you that French and Azerbaijani cultures are important, but a great component of the Russian art school was present in Togrul’s works.”
“The man turned to Tebriz miniature school in his works. This is a fundamental of our painting, a source of everything,” Arif Huseinov, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, says. “He was a very original person. He sang, painted, had fun, loved life. Nobody could deny this. That’s why his works are positive. And everubody feels the positive.”
The exhibition will run to December 15th.
