The Udi people, a small minority living
in Azerbaijan, now have two new books related to their own literary
heritage, thanks to the Norwegian Humanitarian Enterprise. "Orayin"
is a 144-page collection of poems, legends and anecdotes published
in the 52-letter alphabet of the Udi language. This anthology
was compiled by Udi writer Georgi Kechaari. The second publication,
"Waterspring," is a 23-page booklet of Udi legends,
humorous stories and anecdotes in English translation.
An estimated 10,000 Udis live in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia
and Belarus today. They identify themselves with the Christian
Albanians who used to live in the Caucasus. Kechaari, who grew
up in the Gabala region of Azerbaijan, says, "We have waited
40 years to see our poems published in our own language."
Contact: Mr. Tore Seierstad, Norwegian Humanitarian Enterprise,
35 Rasul Reza Street 6, Baku. Tel: (994-12) 97-06-18; Fax: 97-06-18;
nhe@galacticomm.org.
The Udi people, a small minority living
in Azerbaijan, now have two new books related to their own literary
heritage, thanks to the Norwegian Humanitarian Enterprise. "Orayin"
is a 144-page collection of poems, legends and anecdotes published
in the 52-letter alphabet of the Udi language. This anthology
was compiled by Udi writer Georgi Kechaari. The second publication,
"Waterspring," is a 23-page booklet of Udi legends,
humorous stories and anecdotes in English translation.