June 5 marks the birthday of Vagif Samadoghlu, the People's Poet of Azerbaijan, playwright, and publicist.
Born in 1939 in Baku, he was the son of renowned poet Samad Vurgun. His family roots trace back to the Vakilov clan of Yukhari Salahli village in Gazakh region.
He studied at Bulbul Music School and the Azerbaijan State Conservatory named after Uzeyir Hajibeyov.
His first published work, "Seven Poems," appeared in 1963. He later served as editor-in-chief of "Oghuz Eli" newspaper.
In 2000, he was elected to the Milli Majlis. He passed away on January 28, 2015, in Baku.
His grave has no headstone, only a chest stone and a pair of shoes. His poem says: "Place no headstone, no statue on my grave. Just put a pair of shoes, so I can wear them barefoot and leave..."
In 2019, a bust was unveiled in Gazakh. In 2014, while undergoing cancer treatment in Israel, he wrote a poem addressing God: "God, shall I come, or will You send someone?"
