Deputy Tural Ganjaliyev : “An İmportant Mission is to do Good”
A meeting was held with the deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the first secretary of the Department of International Relations and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, chairman of the public association of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh, and a true patriot who loves his homeland.Fortuna’s guest is Tural Ganjaliyev!
– Tell us a little about yourself for the readers of Fortuna. In the first person, so to speak.
– I was born in 1980 in the city of Shusha. Until the age of twelve, I lived with my grandmother in Chol Gala. It was a very historical place. My grandmother’s house was located near the homes of Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Khan Shushinski, Suleyman Alasgarov, and Khurshidbanu Natavan. Just imagine — while playing in the yard, we would enter these houses and find ourselves surrounded by a wonderful atmosphere. Every year, a music festival was held in the heart of Karabakh — Jydyr Duzu — bringing together the most prominent Azerbaijani composers and musicians. Those were beautiful days.
But unfortunately, in 1988, difficult times began, and our lives started to deteriorate. We came to Baku in 1992 after the occupation. But even in Baku, it wasn’t easy at first. We lived in dormitories, and when the government built housing for internally displaced persons in Yeni Guneshli, we settled there — and we still live there to this day.
– In your opinion, what should parents pay attention to when raising their children with a spirit of patriotism?
– First of all, I would like to thank you for bringing up this topic, which is very important to us, and for doing so as a true patriot. The upbringing of a child in the spirit of patriotism depends, first and foremost, on the parents. School textbooks may not be perfect, and for that reason, parents need to pay special attention to this matter. Parents should be broad-minded, knowledgeable about history and the arts, and share this knowledge with their children — instilling in them a love for their homeland, for Azerbaijan. Only in this way can we cultivate a sense of patriotism in our children and teach them to value our history.
If the new generation fails to develop patriotic feelings, we risk facing serious problems in the future.
– As a Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan, could you please share your future plans with us?
– First and foremost, I will focus on helping to resolve the problems of my constituents. As you know, I was elected from the 122nd electoral district of Khankendi. Khankendi is the heart of Karabakh. It is a beautiful city, and at the same time, one of great significance. It was founded in 1750 by the Khan of Karabakh and later became known as Khankendi — the khan’s resting place.
Although the Karabakh Khanate is associated with the names of Panah Khan and his son Ibrahim Khan, the city of Khankendi was renamed in 1923 to Stepanakert, in honor of the Armenian Bolshevik Stepan Shaumyan. It is a great honor for me, as a deputy, to have been elected from Khankendi. I always tell my constituents that we must not lose hope or fall into despair. We must always be ready to return to Karabakh, gathering true patriots around us.
– How would you define the “psychology of success”?
– Constantly working on yourself, moving toward your goals without exhausting yourself. Striving to read a lot and surrounding yourself with intellectual people. Not giving up, no matter the challenges. That is the psychology of success.
– How long have you been involved in music?
– Near our house, there was a remarkable building with a balcony. One day, as I was walking past this house with my father, I looked up and saw a man beautifully playing a melody on the tar. Curious, I asked my father, “Whose house is this?” He replied, “This is the house of Sadigjan, the creator of the tar musical instrument.” That moment sparked my interest in his life and music. That’s how my passion for music was born.
In 1994, a competition was held among music schools in Baku, and I became the winner.
– Alongside music, you’re also a chess player. Tell us about that.
– My father was a 21-time wrestling champion in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. He was also the director of the chess school in Shusha. He spent entire days teaching me the art of chess, and I tried to absorb everything he taught me. Every night, I knew that as soon as my father woke up in the morning, he would start questioning me about chess combinations and maneuvers. So I would prepare all night long (laughs). I took part in many sports competitions in Nagorno-Karabakh and was repeatedly named the winner.
– How did you manage to find strength in the most difficult moments?
– I drew strength from the past — from the lives of our historical figures. I recall the heroic battles of the Khans and Beys of Karabakh. For instance, in the most difficult moments, I remember how Panah Khan, the Khan of Karabakh, escaped from enemies who wanted to kill him, climbed the mountain of Shusha, and built a magnificent fortress. I think that if he could overcome such a dire situation, then I too can handle my own difficulties.
– I’ve heard about the “Mountain of a Thousand and One Flowers” in Karabakh. What can you tell us about it?
– There are many legends. For example, there are wild areas and mountains in Karabakh where no human has ever set foot. Flowers grow there that are believed to cure a thousand and one diseases. Maybe that’s where the name “Mountain of a Thousand and One Flowers” comes from. My parents told me that people used these flowers to brew herbal teas that strengthened the immune system and prolonged life. The nature there was truly incredible — the medicinal plants and berries were so delicious. We used to gather berries (raspberries, blackberries, rose hips, etc.) in Jydyr Duzu. You won’t believe it, I’ve traveled a lot, but I’ve never tasted berries as flavorful as the ones grown in Karabakh. Karabakh is a land of longevity. Every time, I become more convinced that the mountains of Karabakh are the most beautiful.
– The smile of Fortune in your life.
– First of all, I would like to say that I’ve been very fortunate in my career. Our Ombudsman, Elmira Suleymanova, selected me as her assistant, and from that moment, my life changed drastically. After that, I worked for four years in Canada at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then four more years in the Czech Republic. During the Karabakh events, artillery shells exploded, and a neighboring building collapsed. Even in that moment, I was lucky. I could have died, but God protected me. That’s when I began to think: I must have an important mission — to do good.
– Over the years, tourism in Azerbaijan has been developing rapidly. What would you advise our historians, guides, and tour operators?
– First of all, I would like our guides to have deeper knowledge about their work. Azerbaijan is one of the most ancient centers of civilization and has a rich and ancient history. The first centers of human civilization emerged in our regions. The origin of the Caucasian race comes from the Caucasus. Guides should know that Azerbaijan is a highly valuable country. We have monuments and historical structures that are not even talked about. A guide must have complete information about our history and convey accurate knowledge so that people are properly informed. Tourism is not only about entertainment — it’s also about learning the history of a country and its people. If developed in the right direction, our country’s tourism potential will be limitless.
– Your formula for success?
– To be a good person, to stay humble, and to try to be surrounded by good people.
– Your motto?
– Our path leads to Khankendi! To return to our lands and to our home.
The interview was conducted by Saida Musayeva, Editor-in-Chief of the magazine.
