Stefan Weidner, professor at the University of Cologne has delivered lecture entitled “A New Look at Oriental Studies. Why is the Eastern Idea Still Relevant Today?” to BSU students and faculty. The lecture was organized by the Faculty of Oriental Studies, BSU and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Azerbaijan.

The event was attended by BSU Rector Elchin Babayev, First secretary of the German Embassy Andreas Hohlt, Embassy staff, students and members of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, as well as students of the Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry and Baku Slavic University.

Professor Stefan Weidner touched upon the research on Nizami’s heritage in Europe and his influence on Western poets and writers. He also shared information about the literary ties, the influence of the works of Gurban Said and other writers on Western thinking.

Stefan Weidner is a German Islamic studies scholar, writer, translator and literary critic. He has translated numerous poems from Arabic. Since October 2012, Weidner has been a founding member of the Akademie der Künste der Welt in Cologne.