Azerbaijani culture has suffered a great loss. Nariman Alimammad oglu Hasanzadeh—a prominent figure in contemporary Azerbaijani literature, a laureate of Heydar Aliyev Prize, a recipient of the Presidential Individual Pension, an Honored Art Worker, and People's Poet—passed away on August 1, 2026, at the age of 95.

Nariman Hasanzadeh was born on February 2, 1931, in the village of Poylu, Qazakh district. After completing secondary school, he pursued higher education at the Faculty of Language and Literature of Ganja State Pedagogical Institute (named after Hasan Bey Zardabi) from 1949 to 1953, and subsequently studied at Gorky Literary Institute in Moscow from 1957 to 1961.

In 1962, Nariman Hasanzadeh entered the postgraduate program at what is now Baku State University; he completed his studies and defended his dissertation in 1965, earning the academic degree of Candidate of Sciences.

Beginning his professional career in 1962, Nariman Hasanzadeh held various positions at the “Azerbaijan Ganjlari” newspaper, the “Azerbaijan” journal, and Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Committee. While serving as the editor-in-chief of the “Adabiyyat və injasanat” newspaper from 1978 to 1991, he devoted great effort to further enhancing the publication's prestige within literary and public circles.

From 1991 to 2001, Nariman Hasanzadeh served as the First Deputy Minister and Acting Minister of Press and Information of the Republic of Azerbaijan. From 2001 until the end of his life, he headed the Department of Humanities at the National Aviation Academy.

A master of the written word, Nariman Hasanzadeh brought a breath of fresh air to our literature from the very moment he entered the world of poetry. Remaining faithful to the brilliant, centuries-old traditions of national literature, he made valuable contributions to the Azerbaijani people's treasury of poetic thought through his distinctive style and unique voice. His works—driven by a love for the Motherland, a spirit of national freedom, a commitment to traditional values, and a call to moral elevation—kept him at the forefront of the literary landscape. The feelings and thoughts of our contemporaries found a rich artistic expression in his poems, which are distinguished by their poignant sincerity, as well as the fluency, flow, and naturalness of their language. In his narrative poems and verse plays, Nariman Hasanzade has brought to life—in the light of historical truth and with a profound sense of patriotism and commitment to national statehood—the pivotal events and great figures of both the distant and recent past. These works, which celebrate the fighting spirit and heroism of the Azerbaijani people, have been successfully staged in theaters and have earned the deep appreciation of audiences. Many songs—still beloved today—have been composed to the lyrics of this poet, who masterfully harnessed the inexhaustible expressive potential of the Azerbaijani language.

His multifaceted work as a scholar, educator, and public figure—seamlessly integrated with his identity as an artist—stands as a shining example of dignified service to the homeland and the people. Nariman Hasanzade was consistently active in the republic's socio-political and cultural life; over the years, he served as the director of the Azerbaijan branch of the USSR Literary Fund, as well as a deputy in district and city councils and in the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan (12th convocation).

Approaching the processes shaping the country and society with a deep sense of civic responsibility, Nariman Hasanzade devoted all his efforts to the advancement of our culture and the preservation and perpetuation of our national and spiritual values. Nariman Hasanzade’s long and fruitful contributions to the development of Azerbaijani literature and culture have been highly acclaimed. He was awarded the highest state honors of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan—the "Shohrat" (2001), "Sharaf" (2011), and "Istiglal" (2021) Orders—and was conferred the "Heydar Aliyev" Order in 2026.

The cherished memory of Nariman Alimammad oglu Hasanzade—an eminent poet and playwright, a renowned public figure, and a sincere, humble individual—will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

May he rest in peace!