Ali and Nino: A Love Story
Encyclopedia
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Ali and Nino: A Love Story is a charming love story published under the pseudonym Kurban Said
. The novel now has been published in more than 30 languages, with nearly 100 editions or reprints. The book http://azer.com/aiweb/an_covers/an_html/german_1937.html was first published in Vienna
in the German language in 1937, by E.P. Tal Verlag. Current research shows that Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli, not Essad Bey, is the primary core author of the novel "Ali and Nino."
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(1) The core author of the novel "Ali and Nino" is Azerbaijani writer and statesman Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli (1887–1943). Evidence comes from both his life experiences and his works including his diaries, articles, short stories and novels, which are archived in the Manuscript Institute, Baku, Azerbaijan.
(2) The fingerprints of Lev Nussimbaum (1905–1942), who wrote as Essad Bey, are evident in the novel and can clearly be identified in folkloric and legendary material some of which he copied from his earlier books. It should be noted that much of this material is neither culturally or ethnically reliable. Lev Nussimbaum had fled the Bolsheviks takeover in Azerbaijan in 1920 when he was only 14 years old and he admits himself that he had lived a very sheltered life.
(3) Essad Bey took passages related to the travels of Ali and Nino, specifically about Tiflis (Tbilisi) and Persia directly from The Snake's Skin (Das Schlangenhemd, 1928) by "Ali and Nino" – Literary Robbery! Georgian writer Grigol Robakidze
(1882–1962). Whether Robakidze knew about these "borrowings" is not known. However, Essad Bey went to considerable length to disguise the material which would make one suspect that, indeed, it is plagiarized. Research shows that Essad Bey personally knew Robakidze.
(4) Austrian Baroness Elfriede Ehrenfels (1894–1982) registered the novel Ali and Nino with German authorities, claiming that the pseudonym Kurban Said belonged to her. However, evidence of her involvement in the actual writing of the novel has yet to be proven.
An Italian edition, Ali Khan, appeared in 1944 under the name M[ohammed] Essad Bey, Nussimbaum's pen name. Strangely, in this edition, Nino Kipiani is called "Erika Kipiani" (obviously not a true Georgian name). The name of Nussimbaum's wife was "Erika" but she had run off with his colleague, René Fülöp-Miller
, in a scandalous divorce (1935). Other changes were made in this edition as well.
This Italian edition was published posthumously under suspicious conditions by Essad Bey's drug dealer Vacca Bello who called himself "Ahmed Giamil Vacca-Mazzara." He tried to show that he was related to Essad Bey four generations back and, thus, Essad Bey's only living descendent, and therefore, in line to inherit Essad Bey's royalties from his various books. Such an edition as the Italian Ali Khan has never again been re-issued.
Ali Khan Shirvanshir, descendant of a noble Muslim family, is educated in a Russian boy's high school. While his father is still completely a part of Asia, Ali is exposed to Western values in school and through his love to Georgian
princess Nino, who has been brought up in a Christian tradition and belongs more to the European world.
The book describes the love of Ali for Nino, with excursions to mountain villages in Daghestan, Shusha
in Azerbaijan
, Tbilisi, Georgia and Persia. Upon leaving school, Ali determines to marry Nino. At first she hesitates, until Ali promises that he will not make her wear the veil, or be part of a harem. Ali's father, despite his Muslim traditional view of women, supports the marriage; Nino's father tries to postpone the marriage.
The book takes a dramatic turn when an Armenian, whom Ali thought was a friend, kidnaps Nino. In retaliation, Ali pursues him on horseback and overtakes his car and kills him. Contrary to tradition, he spares Nino. Ali flees to Daghestan to escape the vengeance of the Armenian family.
After many months, Nino finds Ali in a simple hilltown, the two marry on the spot and spend a few months in blissful poverty. As turmoil follows the Russian Revolution, Ali Khan makes some tough ideological decisions. When the Ottoman Army moves closer to liberate his native Baku, Ali Khan watches the developments closely. The Bolsheviks recapture Baku
, and Ali and Nino flee to Iran (Persia). In Tehran, Ali is reminded of his Muslim roots, while Nino is fundamentally unhappy in the confinement of the harem. Upon establishment of the Republic of Azerbaijan
, Ali and Nino return and become cultural ambassadors of their new country. Ali is offered a post as ambassador to France – an idea Nino had arranged – but Ali declines, because he fears he will be as unhappy in Paris. When the Red Army descend on Ganja
, Azerbaijan, Ali takes up arms to defend his country. Meantime, Nino flees to Georgia with their child, but Ali Khan dies in battle as the Bolsheviks take the country, which in reality led to the establishment of the Soviet domination of Azerbaijan from 1920-1991.
Ali and Nino: A Love Story is a charming love story published under the pseudonym Kurban Said
Kurban Said
Kurban Said .Kurban Said is the pseudonym for the author of Ali and Nino, a novel originally published in 1937 in the German language by the Austrian publisher, E.P. Tal...
. The novel now has been published in more than 30 languages, with nearly 100 editions or reprints. The book http://azer.com/aiweb/an_covers/an_html/german_1937.html was first published in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
in the German language in 1937, by E.P. Tal Verlag. Current research shows that Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli, not Essad Bey, is the primary core author of the novel "Ali and Nino."
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Authorship Debate
For decades, there has been a controversy about the identity of Kurban Said, the pseudonym used to hide the identity of the author of this novel. Recent extensive research about the authorship issue points to the following conclusions and identifies the creative activity of several people involved with the final version of the novel:(1) The core author of the novel "Ali and Nino" is Azerbaijani writer and statesman Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli (1887–1943). Evidence comes from both his life experiences and his works including his diaries, articles, short stories and novels, which are archived in the Manuscript Institute, Baku, Azerbaijan.
(2) The fingerprints of Lev Nussimbaum (1905–1942), who wrote as Essad Bey, are evident in the novel and can clearly be identified in folkloric and legendary material some of which he copied from his earlier books. It should be noted that much of this material is neither culturally or ethnically reliable. Lev Nussimbaum had fled the Bolsheviks takeover in Azerbaijan in 1920 when he was only 14 years old and he admits himself that he had lived a very sheltered life.
(3) Essad Bey took passages related to the travels of Ali and Nino, specifically about Tiflis (Tbilisi) and Persia directly from The Snake's Skin (Das Schlangenhemd, 1928) by "Ali and Nino" – Literary Robbery! Georgian writer Grigol Robakidze
Ali and Nino – Literary Robbery!
Ali and Nino – Literary Robbery! is a book of literary criticism written by author, researcher and professor of Georgian language and literature - Tamar Injia...
(1882–1962). Whether Robakidze knew about these "borrowings" is not known. However, Essad Bey went to considerable length to disguise the material which would make one suspect that, indeed, it is plagiarized. Research shows that Essad Bey personally knew Robakidze.
(4) Austrian Baroness Elfriede Ehrenfels (1894–1982) registered the novel Ali and Nino with German authorities, claiming that the pseudonym Kurban Said belonged to her. However, evidence of her involvement in the actual writing of the novel has yet to be proven.
An Italian edition, Ali Khan, appeared in 1944 under the name M[ohammed] Essad Bey, Nussimbaum's pen name. Strangely, in this edition, Nino Kipiani is called "Erika Kipiani" (obviously not a true Georgian name). The name of Nussimbaum's wife was "Erika" but she had run off with his colleague, René Fülöp-Miller
René Fülöp-Miller
René Fülöp-Miller, born Philip Müller was an Austrian cultural historian and writer.-Works:* Rasputin : the holy devil, 1927...
, in a scandalous divorce (1935). Other changes were made in this edition as well.
This Italian edition was published posthumously under suspicious conditions by Essad Bey's drug dealer Vacca Bello who called himself "Ahmed Giamil Vacca-Mazzara." He tried to show that he was related to Essad Bey four generations back and, thus, Essad Bey's only living descendent, and therefore, in line to inherit Essad Bey's royalties from his various books. Such an edition as the Italian Ali Khan has never again been re-issued.
Plot summary
"Ali and Nino" is the story of an Azerbaijani youth who falls in love with a Georgian princess. Essentially, the book is a quest for truth and reconciliation in a world of contradictory beliefs and practices - Islam and Christianity, East and West, age and youth, male and female. Much of the novel is set in Baku's Old City (Ichari Shahar) on the eve of the Bolshevik Revolution beginning around 1917-1918. The novel was first published in 1937, in a foreign country (Austria), in a foreign language (German), by someone using the pen name of Kurban Said (Gurban Said, in Azeri).Ali Khan Shirvanshir, descendant of a noble Muslim family, is educated in a Russian boy's high school. While his father is still completely a part of Asia, Ali is exposed to Western values in school and through his love to Georgian
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
princess Nino, who has been brought up in a Christian tradition and belongs more to the European world.
The book describes the love of Ali for Nino, with excursions to mountain villages in Daghestan, Shusha
Shusha
Shusha , also known as Shushi is a town in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in the South Caucasus. It has been under the control of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic since its capture in 1992 during the Nagorno-Karabakh War...
in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, Tbilisi, Georgia and Persia. Upon leaving school, Ali determines to marry Nino. At first she hesitates, until Ali promises that he will not make her wear the veil, or be part of a harem. Ali's father, despite his Muslim traditional view of women, supports the marriage; Nino's father tries to postpone the marriage.
The book takes a dramatic turn when an Armenian, whom Ali thought was a friend, kidnaps Nino. In retaliation, Ali pursues him on horseback and overtakes his car and kills him. Contrary to tradition, he spares Nino. Ali flees to Daghestan to escape the vengeance of the Armenian family.
After many months, Nino finds Ali in a simple hilltown, the two marry on the spot and spend a few months in blissful poverty. As turmoil follows the Russian Revolution, Ali Khan makes some tough ideological decisions. When the Ottoman Army moves closer to liberate his native Baku, Ali Khan watches the developments closely. The Bolsheviks recapture Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
, and Ali and Nino flee to Iran (Persia). In Tehran, Ali is reminded of his Muslim roots, while Nino is fundamentally unhappy in the confinement of the harem. Upon establishment of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan Democratic Republic
The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was the first successful attempt to establish a democratic and secular republic in the Muslim world . The ADR was founded on May 28, 1918 after the collapse of the Russian Empire that began with the Russian Revolution of 1917 by Azerbaijani National Council in...
, Ali and Nino return and become cultural ambassadors of their new country. Ali is offered a post as ambassador to France – an idea Nino had arranged – but Ali declines, because he fears he will be as unhappy in Paris. When the Red Army descend on Ganja
Ganja
Ganja is Azerbaijan's second-largest city with a population of around 313,300. It was named Yelizavetpol in the Russian Empire period. The city regained its original name—Ganja—from 1920–1935 during the first part of its incorporation into the Soviet Union. However, its name was changed again and...
, Azerbaijan, Ali takes up arms to defend his country. Meantime, Nino flees to Georgia with their child, but Ali Khan dies in battle as the Bolsheviks take the country, which in reality led to the establishment of the Soviet domination of Azerbaijan from 1920-1991.
See also
- Yusif Vazir ChamanzaminliYusif Vazir ChamanzaminliYusif Vazir Chamanzaminli, , sometimes spelled Chemenzeminli, born Yusif Mirbaba oghlu Vazirov Russia.Chamanzaminli was an Azerbaijani writer and statesman remembered for his novels, short stories, essays, and diaries...
- Lev NussimbaumLev NussimbaumLev Nussimbaum was a writer and journalist, a Jew, born in Kiev, who spent his childhood in Baku before fleeing the Bolsheviks in 1920 at the age of 14...
- Azerbaijan International magazineAzerbaijan InternationalAzerbaijan International is an independent magazine committed to the discussion of issues related to Azerbaijanis around the world. It was established in 1993 shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union when Azerbaijan gained its independence. Since then, it has been published quarterly in...
External links
- Covers: Ali and Nino – 33 languages
- "Who Wrote Azerbaijan's Most Famous Novel - Ali and Nino?" Azerbaijan International, Vol. 15:2-4, 364 pages. Available in English http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai152_folder/152_pdf/152_pdf_english/ai_152_index_eng.pdf or Azeri.http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai152_folder/152_pdf/152_pdf_azeri/ai_152_index_az.pdf
- Twitter: Ali_Nino – "Digging deeper into the authorship of Kurban Said's novel Ali and Nino."
- Book Review: Elin Suleymanov, "Inside the Soul of a Caucasian", Azerbaijan International 12:2 (Summer 2004), 40–42.
- The "Ali and Nino" Walking Tour in Baku. Azerbaijan International, Summer 2004 (12.2)
- How to Collect Kurban Said's Novel "Ali and Nino" Azerbaijan International, Autumn 2004 (12.3)
- The full novel in Russian
- Lazare, Daniel, "Jews Without Borders", The Nation, March 28, 2005, 27–31. Posted online March 9, 2005.
- Yousif Vazir Chamanzaminli (Alternative spelling: Yusif Vazir Chamanzaminli)
- Reading Group Guide
- Twitlonger about authorship of Ali and Nino
- What Readers Are Saying about the Research of Azerbaijan International.