Fizuli Statue, Baku

The Fuzuli Statue in Baku stands as a significant tribute to the 16th-century Azerbaijani poet, writer, and thinker Fuzuli. This monument, created between 1958 and 1963 by sculptors Tokay Mammadov and Omar Eldarov, is a pivotal cultural landmark in the city. The duo, along with architect Haji Mukhtarov, won a competition for the statue’s design, commemorating the 400th anniversary of Fuzuli’s death. The competition, proclaimed in 1958, aimed to honor Fuzuli’s enduring literary and cultural impact.

The statue itself features a bronze sculpture of Fuzuli mounted on a granite pedestal, accompanied by a fountain, enhancing its aesthetic and symbolic presence. It stands at an impressive height of 12 meters (about 39 feet), with detailed facial expressions that vividly capture the poet’s contemplative and intense life. The work reflects a fidelity to the artistic image of Fuzuli first envisioned by sculptor Fuad Abdurahmanov in 1939 during the development of the Nizami Museum’s facade.

Unveiled in 1962, the statue not only celebrates Fuzuli’s poetic legacy but also marks a significant achievement in Azerbaijani sculpture. The USSR Academy of Arts recognized the sculptors’ contributions with silver medals, underlining the cultural and artistic importance of this monument. This statue, by immortalizing Fuzuli, serves as a focal point of Azerbaijani national pride and historical remembrance in Baku.