There have been many women who distinguished themselves with their scientific, cultural, and social activities in the history of the Azerbaijan SSR. One of them is the renowned scholar Püstəxanım Əzizbəyova, who for the first time in Azerbaijan established a group of underwater archaeologists within a museum. However, this time it is not her activity, but a rare photograph from her youth that draws attention.
Modern.az reports that this photo, which also features Azər Sarabski, was taken in the 1950s while he was preparing for an exam together with Püstəxanım Əzizbəyova, the granddaughter of Məşədi Əzizbəyov.
Püstəxanım Əzizbəyova, who graduated from the Faculty of History of Azerbaijan State University with honors in 1951, maintained a close friendship with Azər Sarabski, the son of Hüseyn Sarabski, one of the founders of Azerbaijan's prominent theater and opera art, since her student years.
The woman sitting behind the book in the picture is Püstə Əzizbəyova. She was born on December 29, 1929, in Baku, into the family of Əziz ağa Əzizbəyov, the son of Məşədi Əzizbəyov, the first Azerbaijani Marxist. After graduating from the Faculty of History of Azerbaijan State University with honors in 1951, she worked for some time as the director of Məşədi Əzizbəyov's house-museum.
P. Əzizbəyova was elected a corresponding member of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences in 1972 and a full member in 1980.
She also engaged in pedagogical activities, teaching at various higher education institutions in Baku, and was awarded the title of associate professor in 1955 and professor in 1962.
While still a student, Püstə khanım began working as an excursion guide at the Central Lenin Museum in 1948, and later became the director of its branch and head of a department there. In 1955, she began working as the head of the Department of Modern History at the Azerbaijan History Museum. Appointed director of the museum in 1961, P. Əzizbəyova held this position until the end of her life, until 1998. During her tenure, this museum transformed into an important scientific research institution of the Academy of Sciences, where extensive exhibitions and serious research work were carried out. During Püstə Əzizbəyova's leadership of the museum, a group of underwater archaeologists was established for the first time in Azerbaijan within the museum. Museum employee V. Kvaçidze led this group.
She is the author of numerous monographs and various publications, including nearly 300 articles. Püstə khanım was a member of the Soviet Women's Committee in 1968 and the American Association of Museums in 1964.
Azər Sarabski, depicted in the photograph, is a renowned theater researcher. He dedicated a significant part of his life to the Institute of Architecture and Art of the National Academy of Sciences. Here, he was engaged in the study of Azerbaijani theater culture. His research book "The Genesis and Development of Azerbaijani Musical Theater" remains a seminal work for our country's cultural scholars and culturologists today.
The scholar was awarded the “Order of the Badge of Honor”.
Püsta Əzizbəyova passed away in Baku on January 8, 1998, and was buried in the Alley of Honor.
