Salim Babullaoghlu
Mundus Artium Press proudly names Azerbaijani poet Salim Babullaoghlu as the Orpheus Texts Poet of the Year for 2025, celebrating his profound contributions to literature. Babullaoghlu, a prominent figure in contemporary Azerbaijani poetry, essays, and translations, is recognized for his unique voice and his influence on modern poetry both within Azerbaijan and globally.
Born on December 10, 1972, in Baku, Babullaoghlu is a prolific writer whose works have been translated into over ten languages and published in countries like Turkey, Germany, Romania, Ukraine, Hungary, Georgia, Iran, etc. His poetry books, including Lonely (1996), Sentence Without First Letter (2021), and Talk With My Son (2022), are critically acclaimed for their emotional depth, powerful symbolism, and vivid imagery. His work explores themes of human growth, emotional well-being, and socio-political issues, reflecting the complexities of both personal and global experiences.
Babullaoghlu’s contributions extend beyond poetry. A respected translator, he has introduced Azerbaijani readers to international poets like T.S. Eliot, Jorge Luis Borges, and Boris Pasternak, while simultaneously bringing Azerbaijani poetry to a global audience. His essays, such as Literary Conversations (2011) and Literary Dreams (2015), demonstrate his intellectual engagement with literature and its role in addressing societal issues.
A graduate of Baku State University, Babullaoghlu worked as a journalist and editor before founding The World Literature magazine. He remains active in the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan and the Bishkek PEN. He is one of the leaders of the Union of Writers of Azerbaijan and works as the secretary of the Azerbaijani Writers’ Organization.
His editorial work and translation projects have made significant strides in fostering international literary dialogue.
Babullaoghlu’s achievements have earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Golden Word-Chance Award (Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Truism, 2012), the Mikail Mushfig Poetry Award (2014), the International Rasul Rza Award (2015), the Diploma of the European Poet of Freedom festival (Poland, 2018), the Ivo Andric Medal (Royal Academy of Serbia, Belgrade, 2019), the Nizami Ganjavi Medal (2021), and the Mihai Eminescu Gold Medal (European Mihai Eminescu Foundation, Romania, 2023). His poetry collection The South Wind: Selected Poems offers English-speaking audiences a window into his artistic vision, blending personal reflection with cultural and political commentary.
Currently residing in Baku, Babullaoghlu continues his work as a poet, translator, and cultural ambassador, solidifying his legacy as a leading figure in global literature. The Orpheus Texts Poet of the Year Award for 2025 underscores his enduring influence on Azerbaijani literature and his role as a voice for international artistic exchange. Through his writing, Babullaoghlu pushes the boundaries of poetry while fostering connections across cultures.
Videos
Photos
Books
Salim Babullaoglu – Books |