Azerbaijan House in Paris appeals to Evian-les-Bains mayor’s office over monument to Khurshidbanu Natavan

The House of Azerbaijan operating in Paris has issued an appeal in connection with the decision of the municipal council of the city of Evian-les-Bains related to the “Azerbaijani garden” and the danger threatening the monument to the Azerbaijani poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan, Report informs referring to the State Committee for Work with Diaspora.

An appeal sent to the mayor of Evian-les-Bains Josiane Ley on behalf of the head of the House of Azerbaijan, Mirvari Fataliyeva, has expressed deep concern about the current situation.

It reminds that France is known as a state that values all cultures on its territory: “However, recent actions against Azerbaijan, in particular the proposal to change the name “Azerbaijani garden,” are completely contrary to the principles of justice and respect for cultural diversity.”

It is noted that Khurshidbanu Natavan is one of the main representatives of Azerbaijani literature of the 19th century, a symbol of the liberated woman, and that she made an important contribution to the cultural revival of public relations and the life of Azerbaijan.

It is emphasized that while female writers in Europe often used male pseudonyms, Natavan, being a bearer of Islamic values, led literary majlises (gatherings) in the cultural capital of Azerbaijan - Shusha, and in 1858 she met the famous French writer Alexandre Dumas: “Their friendship was strengthened by Natavan’s husband Hasai Khan, who was fluent in French. In his book “Journey to the Caucasus,” Dumas recalls that Natavan laid a cobblestone road from Baku to the village of Shikh.”

The appeal states that such decisions create a risk of violating mutual understanding and cooperation, which are very important for strengthening goodwill between countries.

“France must show respect for different cultural heritages and bilateral ties. Aware of the importance of preserving cultural symbols that contribute to mutual understanding between our countries, we call on the relevant authorities to reconsider these decisions,” reads the appeal.

Noting that culture allows countries to overcome all other obstacles, the House of Azerbaijan in Paris asked to pay attention to this problem.

On the basis of the charter of mutual friendship and cooperation signed in 2015 between the Azerbaijani city of Ismayilli and the French city of Evian-les-Bains, in 2017 the “Azerbaijani garden” was opened in this city, where a monument to the outstanding Azerbaijani poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan was erected.