On March 10, 2025, the Marble Hall of Khazar University hosted a distinguished seminar titled "Celebration of Satire," organized by the Department of Architecture and Design. The featured guest, Sevil Fuks, daughter of renowned caricaturist Rizvan Guliyev, delivered a comprehensive presentation on her father's artistic legacy as a pioneering figure in Azerbaijani caricature art.
During her erudite exposition, Ms. Fuks conducted an exhaustive analysis of the "Kirpi" (Hedgehog) magazine's influential four-decade span from 1952 to 1991, emphasizing its significant position, function, and societal impact within Azerbaijani press. The publication distinguished itself not merely through its satirical illumination of contemporary issues but also through its incisive satirical approach to social and political challenges, thereby occupying a pivotal role in societal development.
Ms. Fuks, an Azerbaijani expatriate residing in Germany, has published several German-language volumes dedicated to promoting Azerbaijani culture, including "Nizami-Bibliography," "Nizami in Poetry and Prose," and "Fitna," all focusing on the illustrious Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi. The design and illustrations for "Fitna" were crafted by Iskandar Mammadov, a faculty member of Khazar University's Department of Architecture and Design.
Among the attendees, Fuad Akhundov, a journalist and researcher of Baku's history, highlighted the substantial journalistic significance of "Kirpi" magazine during its publication era and acknowledged Rizvan Guliyev's considerable contributions to caricature artistry, while commending the thoroughness of Ms. Fuks's presentation.
The event catalyzed extensive discussions from both artistic and historical perspectives, reaffirming for participants the magazine's crucial societal role.
The gathering concluded with Ms. Fuks generously donating her published works to the Khazar University library.