Zulfigar Ahmedzadeh Pensaj Medal

Zulfigar Ahmedzadeh Pensaj Medal

The Zulfigar Ahmedzadeh Pensaj Medal was established by the International Talysh Foundation in 2023 as an annual national prize awarded for significant contribution to the development of Talysh literature.

The medal was first established in honour of the 125th anniversary of the birth of the founder of modern Talysh literature - poet Zulfigar Ahmedzadeh Pensaj (1898-1940). The winner of the award is announced annually on the day of his birth - 14 June.

The medal is awarded to the author who is alive at the time of announcing the winner for his works in the Talysh language and his total contribution to the development of Talysh literature. The medal can be awarded to an author once in his life.

The list of nominees for the award and then the laureate himself/herself is determined as a result of secret discussion and voting by the award committee consisting of 7 persons. In addition, each prize winner is thereafter entitled to nominate one nominee each year. The list of nominees is not announced.

The winner of the prize receives the Zulfigar Ahmedzadeh Pensaj Medal, a diploma and a cash prize, the amount of which is determined annually by the International Talysh Foundation.

At the award ceremony, the laureate gives a lecture in Talysh.

Prize winners:

2023
Khanali Tolysh (born 1940)
"For outstanding merits in the revival of Talysh literature as well as the development and enrichment of Talysh art, and for vivid poetic creativity filled with devotion to the native language".

Laureate's lecture. 01.10.2023 >>

2024
Ehsan Shafigi (born 1957)
"For outstanding merits in the revival of Talysh literature as well as the development and enrichment of Talysh art, and for vivid poetic creativity filled with devotion to the native language".

Laureate's lecture. ... >>

2025
Allahverdi Bayrami (born 1946)
"For outstanding merits in the revival of Talysh literature as well as the development and enrichment of Talysh art, and for vivid poetic creativity filled with devotion to the native language".

Laureate's lecture. ... >>

2026
Masume Apruz (born 1354 / 1975 according to the Gregorian calendar)
"In recognition of the lyrical expressiveness of her inspired poetic work, which is filled with vivid imagery and powerful artistic expression and reflects one of the unique female voices in Talysh literature."

Laureate's lecture. ... >>