Though it was established during the Soviet era, the daily "Literature and Art" was not only established in the 1930s as a megaphone for ideological expression; it also functionsed as a literary outlet, articulating and generating the literary tendencies of the XX century in Azerbaijan. The newspaper "Literature and Art" in particular actively contributed to the formation of the trends in our literature during the 1960s and 1970s, as well as reflecting them.
From this point of view, it is important to focus first on the way the newspaper, which is a body of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union (presently known as the Azerbaijan Writers' Union) covers the events and activities of the 1960s and 1970s. Three Azerbaijani writers' congresses might be listed as among the Union of Writers' most significant occasions throughout those years: Congress IV (December 23-25, 1965), Congress V (June 1-3, 1971), and Congress VI (May 26-28, 1976) were held. Congresses during the Soviet era, while on the one hand concluded, examined, and assessed writers' five-year literary work, also established the general literary process' development patterns and provided guidance for it. As a result, the newspaper "Literature and Art" played a unique role in this procedure.
The V and VI congresses of Azerbaijani writers are distinguished by their more important results. In addition to attending both congresses, Heydar Aliyev – Presi-dent of the Republic, made a speech highlighting the challenges encountered by writers. In addition, the National leader highlighted that our literature developed on the foundation of a rich national culture and history before discussing the accom-plishments of Azerbaijani literary throughout the Soviet era.
Thus, Azerbaijani literature transitioned from general socialist ideas to national themes and values during this time and it was able to stand out in the international arena precisely because of its national uniqueness and this is demonstrated by the wide and comprehensive activity of the "Literature and Art" newspaper in the 1960s and 1970s.
CONGRESSES OF AZERBAIJAN WRITERS, LITERARY DEBATES AND CONFERENCES WITHIN THE PAGES OF “LITERATURE AND ART” NEWSPAPER
Keywords: “Literature and Art” newspaper, Azerbaijan Union of Writers, congresses, literary discussions, plenums
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