Tair Salakhov on Heydar Aliyev: revelations of the great artist on the 103rd anniversary of the founder of independent Azerbaijan

"If one casts even a superficial glance at everything Heydar Aliyevich accomplished, the result is simply staggering!" - such a laconic yet all-encompassing thought served as a guiding point in the long conversations between the author of this publication and the legendary Tahir Salahov, a man of unique talent and wisdom. During the spring days of May, marked by a number of festive events, Azerbaijan pays tribute to the memory of a figure who earned immortality even during his lifetime - the founder of the independent state, Heydar Alirza oglu Aliyev.

In this article of the "Caspian" newspaper, dedicated to the 103rd anniversary of Heydar Aliyev, excerpts are presented from the book "Dialogue," in which the world-renowned innovative artist Tahir Salahov shares with the author of this publication and the aforementioned book, Raya Abbasova, his memories, including those of the unforgettable time spent in communication with the founder of independent Azerbaijan - Heydar Aliyev.

"The great leader's friendship with the luminaries of Azerbaijani culture actively stimulated creative growth and professional success of figures in the arts, and not only in Azerbaijan," states Tahir Salahov. "Heydar Aliyev brought me back to Azerbaijan, and he returned Azerbaijan to my heart as my homeland. I will remember him with love and gratitude all my life," Mstislav Rostropovich noted with particular sincerity.

- Tahir Teymurovich, in the course of our conversation, the topic of the national leader Heydar Aliyev's influence on the development of modern Azerbaijani culture has been touched upon repeatedly. Your memories of communicating with such an outstanding personality are undoubtedly of significant interest to the widest audience.

In 1997, the world community celebrated the 70th anniversary of maestro Rostropovich. At the festivities held on this momentous occasion in France, one could say a historic meeting took place between Heydar Aliyevich and Mstislav Rostropovich. From that moment on, the world-famous musician born in Baku not only periodically visited his homeland but also participated in the development of the country's musical and concert life, openly demonstrating his unequivocal stance on the Karabakh problem, actively supporting internally displaced persons from their ancestral lands. It is known that Mstislav Leopoldovich took the passing of Heydar Aliyevich very hard. He expressed these sorrowful feelings in a creative impulse, sharing with the internationally