The emergence and theoretical origins of Azerbaijani free verse

Abstract

The introduction of free verse into Azerbaijani poetry in the 1920s is a defining event in the national literary tradition, an event that represented a radical departure from conventional forms of poetry with long cultural significance. But despite the transformative potential of free verse, existing scholarship lacks a comprehensive theoretical analysis of its historical development and aesthetic significance within the Azerbaijani literary landscape. Thus, this study critically examines the emergence, theoretical conceptualization, and evolutionary trajectory of free verse in Azerbaijani poetry by synthesizing the opinions of local and international literary critics. By examining the initial reception and theoretical interpretations of free verse, the study illustrates how this poetic form rapidly transformed from being considered a radical futurist trend to being consolidated as an authentic literary expression. It is demonstrated that early free verse mainly conveyed proletarian ideologies, simultaneously challenging traditional poetic forms. The investigation demonstrates that early free verse predominantly articulated proletarian ideologies, while simultaneously challenging traditional poetic structures. Key findings indicate that the theoretical understanding of free verse in Azerbaijan evolved significantly, from peripheral experimentation to an aware­ness of its artistic and ideological potentialities. By integrating Azerbaijani, Russian, and Western literary theoreticians' views, the research presents a comprehensive model of explaining the emergence and theoretical contextualization of free verse in Azerbaijani poetry.