Beginnings
The magazine was founded in Tiflis in 1906 by Jalil Mammadguluzadeh and Ömer Faik Nemanzade, born in the village of Azgur near Ahıska, and printed at their “Geyrat” press. The aim was a magazine that even the illiterate could understand.
What it was like
Eight pages, about half of them drawings. Its artists included Oskar Schmerling and Azim Azimzade. It wrote about politics, religion, colonialism and women’s rights, and mocked ignorance and superstition. It was banned in 1912, 1914 and 1917.
Its road
Tiflis (1906–1917), Tabriz (1921), Baku (from 1922). It was read across the Muslim world. By different counts, between 741 and 748 issues came out. Original issues can be seen in the National Library of Azerbaijan’s exhibition “Molla Nasreddin 120”.
Why it is our story
Without a man from Ahıska this magazine would not have existed: the idea, the press and the first years were Ömer Faik’s. More in Ömer Faik Nemanzade and Books and newspapers.