Chapter 2 - The Staff and Major Contributors

Summary

Who were the contributors to the periodical, and what were the challenges and obstacles they faced as they addressed their audience’s concerns? Mollå Nasreddin was not the organ of any particular political party, though the editor and nearly all its staff were partial towards social democracy. Most of the writers and poets belonged to the Shi'i Muslim community, which was also the journal’s primary audience. However, the co-founder Ömar Fāeq was a Sunni Muslim, and the two principal artists, Schmerling and Rotter, were Christian and Jewish, respectively. Yet, despite their religious differences, these writers, poets and artists forged a strong collaboration, as they shared a common bond and desire to create a more egalitarian world.

Contributors belonged to different social classes. Some came from working-class families, but most were living a more middle-class life at the time they joined Mollå Nasreddin. In the case of Hamideh Khānum, who should be considered a financial backer of the publisher, and Mirza Jalil (after their marriage in 1907), they were landowners with an estate and had significant disposable income. Nearly all the contributors knew multiple languages and had travelled inside and outside Russia, including to Iran. Some went to college as the first members of their family. Others were autodidacts and avid readers. Many were talented and accomplished individuals in their areas of expertise. Several were playwrights and, while writing for the paper, also staged plays.

Editor Jalil Memedqolizādeh, aka Mirza Jalil (1866–1932), was an author, playwright and one of the founders of the School of Critical Realism in Azerbaijani literature. Ömar Fåeq Nemānzādeh (1872–1937), co-founder and associate editor, was an experienced journalist who had studied in Turkey. Mirza Jalil’s wife, Hamideh Khānum (1873–1955), was a pioneering advocate for women’s rights. Ali-Akbar Tāherzādeh Sāber (Mirzə Ələkbər Zeynalabdin oğlu Tahirzadə, 1862–1911), was a gifted poet who revolutionised Azerbaijani literature. Abdol Rahim bey Haqverdiyev (Əbdürrəhim bəy Əsəd bəy oğlu Haqverdiyev, 1870–1933), was a playwright and stage director, as well as a member of the First State Duma of the Russian Empire. Mohammad Said Ordubādi (Məmməd Səid Ordubadi, 1872–1950), was a prolific correspondent and writer who covered the revolutionary events in Iran. The principal artists Oskar Schmerling (1863–1938), Joseph (Yusof) Rotter and 'Azim 'Azimzādeh (Əzim Aslan oğlu Əzimzadə, 1880–1943) were founders of the art of caricature in South Caucasus.