Paris hosts event celebrating 120th anniversary of prominent writer Ummulbanu Banine
Paris, December 12, AZERTAC
The Embassy of Azerbaijan in France organized an event to mark the 120th anniversary of Ummulbanu Asadullayeva (Banine), a prominent writer and one of the rare figures of French–Azerbaijani literature.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Azerbaijani Ambassador to France Leyla Abdullayeva noted that Banine’s 120th anniversary is a significant event for both French and Azerbaijani literary heritage — as she is one of the rare writers who created a lasting bridge between the two cultures.
Participants also watched a documentary reflecting Banine’s turbulent life path.
Other speakers at the event included James Frachon and Irène Frachon from the Frachon family, to whom Banine had taught French; Alexandre Stroev, Doctor of Philology and Head of the Department of Comparative Literature at New Sorbonne University; Vazeh Asgarov, Executive Director of the French-Azerbaijani University (UFAZ) and author of a book about Banine; Huseyn Javadzadeh, director of the documentary on Banine’s life; and Salatin Shamilova, a PhD student at the University of Bucharest.
Members of the Frachon family emphasized that Banine was like a grandmother to them, noting that she was not only a great writer but also a person who left a profound mark on their lives.
Attendees also viewed an exhibition reflecting Banine’s life and work. Banine’s typewriters, on which she wrote her works, as well as her passports, books, manuscripts, and photographs, attracted great interest among visitors.
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