Aylisli's 'Stone Dreams' translated into Armenian

Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli’s latest novel, which spurred wide controversies in the author's home country, has been translated into Armenian, raising many questions never addressed before.

At a news conference on Friday, Armenian writer and publisher Ruben Hovsepyan introduced the book, highlighting its important moments and specificities.

“The reason for translating the book was first of all its high level as a piece of fiction. Had it a low literary level, we would not have published it, no matter the content. What I especially like is the love for his childhood and the years he lived. This is a phenomenon in the Azerbaijani literature, though we are not well-familiar with their literature of the past 20 years,” he said.

Leonid Jilfugharyan, the book’s translator also attending the news conference, said he immediately agreed to translate the novel which he had very much liked after reading it on the internet.

“This book was written in an honest spirit, and that’s what makes it attractive. I had no difficulty. I tried to leave the things they way he had written, without Armemnianizing [the content],” he said.

The book, entitled “Stone Dreams”, depicts the town of Aylis (the historical Armenian Agulis) which was the author’s birthplace. Inspired by the town’s paved streets, gardens, the semi-collapsed or vanished Armenian churches, Aylisli took up writing the novel

After the book was translated into Armenian, Azerbaijanis raised a wave of protest, with the author saying that he had not given consent for the translation.

Hovsepyan, who is the novel’s publisher, confirmed the fact, adding that Aylisli himself had not responded to their earlier requests for permission to translate the novel. “We tried to contact him and sent him an email not to violate the norms of copyright, but he didn’t respond. However, no writer in the world would ever oppose [to an offer] for having his or her work translated. If he decides to file a lawsuit, we will give the necessary compensation,” he added.

Hivsepyan described the “Stone Dreams” as a tint of light in darkness, which gives positive hopes as to the Azerbaijani society.

The writer added that the book, which has been published in 500 copies, will be soon available in book-stores.