Today is the birthday of the people's poet Khalil Rza Ulutürk

Today marks the 94th anniversary of the birth of the prominent representative of Azerbaijani literature, philosopher and thinker, poet Khalil Rza Ulutürk.

He was one of the heralds of the national-democratic movement, as well as one of the best continuators of the ideology of Turkism, Azerbaijanism, and independence in Azerbaijani literature.

Azerbaijani poet and philologist, People's Poet of Azerbaijan Khalil Rza Ulutürk was born on October 21, 1932.

He received his first education in his native Salyan. His first poem "The Book" was published in 1948 in the newspaper "Azerbaijani Pioneer." In 1949, Khalil Rza Ulutürk enrolled in the philological faculty of Azerbaijan State University. While studying at the university, he actively participated in a literary circle, where he became acquainted with such figures as Bakhtiyar Vahabzadeh, Jafar Khandan, and Mirza Ibrahimov.

In 1954, upon graduating from the university, Khalil Rza began working at the editorial office of the magazine "Azerbaijan Gadyny."

As a literary staff member of the magazine, he frequently published articles in other publications, and more and more of his new poems were also being printed. In the same year of 1954, Khalil Rza joined the Writers' Union. His first collection of poems was published in the book "Spring Is Coming" in 1957.

After the events of January 20, 1990, in Baku, on January 26, Khalil Rza was arrested and sent to Moscow's Lefortovo Prison. He remained there until October 1990, after which he was sent back to Baku, where following a month-long trial, the poet received an acquittal and was released. During the military conflict in Karabakh, Khalil Rza Ulutürk was frequently present in combat zones, speaking before soldiers. Khalil Rza Ulutürk's son Tabriz Khalilbeyli was a participant in the First Karabakh War, where he rose to the pinnacle of martyrdom. By decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated October 8, 1992, he was awarded the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan.

In 1992, Khalil Rza was awarded the honorary title of "People's Poet of Azerbaijan."

In 1994, during the official visit of national leader Heydar Aliyev to France, Khalil Rza Ulutürk was also included in the delegation. This visit was the last in his life; shortly afterward, the poet passed away. He was buried in the Alley of Honor in Baku.