October 21 marks the birthday of Khalil Rza Ulutürk, a poet, critic, and literary figure known for his contributions to Azerbaijani literature and freedom poetry.
Born in 1932 in the Salyan district, Ulutürk attended City High School No. 2 and became an active member of the Salyan City Library Literature Club. His first poem, Absheron, was written in 1948.
Between 1949 and 1954, Khalil Rza studied journalism at Azerbaijan State University. By the 1950s and 1960s, he was a senior lecturer at Azerbaijan Pedagogical University. After completing his studies at Azerbaijan State University in 1954, he began working at the magazine The Woman of Azerbaijan.
From 1955 to 1957, his work as a literary contributor gained the attention of the literary community, showcasing his talent through articles and poems. In 1954, he was elected to the Writers’ Union of the USSR. His first collection of poems, Spring is Coming, was published in 1957.
In August 1957, Khalil Rza was sent to Moscow for a two-year literature course at the Institute of World Literature named after M. Gorky. Upon his return to Baku in 1959, he continued his studies at Azerbaijan State Pedagogical Institute, where he later defended his thesis in 1963. The thesis focused on post-war Soviet Azerbaijani literature, and he earned the title of candidate of philological sciences. He remained at the institute as a teacher, known for his passionate lectures on Azerbaijani culture, heritage, and language.
In 1986, he was awarded the title of “Honored Artist” for his role in developing Azerbaijani literature. As the liberation movement gained momentum in the late 1980s, Khalil Rza’s voice echoed across Azerbaijan, advocating for freedom.
On January 26, 1990, he was arrested by the USSR State Security Committee and imprisoned in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison for over eight months. During his time in isolation, he wrote the Lefortovo Diary, along with more than 200 poems and letters.
Throughout his 40-year career, Khalil Rza published works under various pseudonyms, including Khalil Khalilov, Khalil Khalilbeyli, Khalil Odsever, and Khalil Reza. His arrest came to an end when he was released on October 9, 1990, after a month-long trial in Baku.
In May 1991, Khalil Rza was awarded the “Laureate of the Turkish Nation Prize.” The following year, in 1992, he received the prestigious title of “People’s Poet of the Republic of Azerbaijan.”
Khalil Rza Ulutürk passed away on June 22, 1994, leaving behind a legacy of literary excellence and national pride.
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