A heavy loss has befallen Azerbaijani culture and public thought; prominent writer-playwright, publicist, translator, statesman, and diplomat, Honored Art Worker Hidayet Orucov passed away on June 13, 2026, at the age of 82.
“Elchi” reports that the Ministry of Culture shared this information regarding the death of H. Orucov.
“Hidayet Khudush oglu Orucov was born on September 5, 1944, in the village of Maralzami, Mehri district of Western Azerbaijan,” the statement said.
It was noted that after graduating from the Faculty of Philology of the Azerbaijan State University (now BSU), he began his extensive literary and journalistic career: “Hidayet Orucov served as the director of the Irevan State Azerbaijan Drama Theater named after Jafar Jabbarli starting in 1968. At the same time, as the head of the Azerbaijan Literature Council of the Writers’ Union of Armenia, the writer taught 19th-20th century literature at the Azerbaijan department of the Irevan Pedagogical Institute.
Hidayet Orucov worked as deputy editor-in-chief and editor-in-chief (1986-1992) of the “Ganjlik” publishing house in Baku from 1984 to 1986. During these years, the 50-volume “World Children’s Literature Library” series was published by “Ganjlik”. In addition, the publication of other important series such as the 15-volume “Azerbaijani Folklore”, 25-volume “Adventure and Fantasy”, 17-volume “Literature of the USSR Peoples”, and others was initiated.
After our country restored its independence, a new page opened in Hidayet Orucov’s career. He served as the Advisor to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on interethnic relations from 1992 to 1993, and as the State Advisor of the Republic of Azerbaijan on national policy issues from 1993 to 2005. From 2005 to 2006, he served as the State Advisor of the Republic of Azerbaijan on work with national minorities and religious organizations. From 2006 to 2012, he headed the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations.
Also active as a diplomat, Hidayet Orucov served as the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Kyrgyzstan from 2012 to 2021.
More than 60 books by the writer, consisting of poetry, prose, publicism, translations, etc., have been published. The author’s monograph “Heydar Aliyev and National Policy in Azerbaijan” has been published in English, Russian, Georgian, Turkish, Arabic, and Kyrgyz languages. He translated works from the literature of several nations into our language. His plays have been staged in our country and abroad.
The writer’s creative and public activities were highly appreciated by the state; he was awarded the honorary title of “Honored Art Worker”, the “Shohrat” Order, the “For Service to the Fatherland” Order of the 2nd degree, and the “Honorary Diploma of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan”. The writer was also awarded prizes by several other countries.
The staff of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan expresses their sadness over the passing of the prominent writer-playwright Hidayet Orucov and extends their deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.
May God have mercy on him”.
We remind you that H. Orucov passed away on the night of June 13.