Osman Mirzayev


Osman Mirzayev was a journalist, writer and publicist in Soviet Azerbaijan, then part of the USSR. The journalist is the father of Sevinj Osmanqizi.
Osman Mirzayev is widely regarded as one of the great pioneers of independent journalism in Azerbaijan. He came to prominence as presenter of Dalga, Azerbaijan's first political TV programme, and through his investigative articles about political repression and persecution in the Soviet Azerbaijan and books We Only Live Once, Eagle in Flight, Drop and Lake and many other writings. Mirzayev's book Adlarimiz reviews the origins and meanings of the most popular first names in Azerbaijan.

Biography

Osman Mirzayev was born on April 13, 1937 in Baku, Azerbaijan. He was the graduate of the Phylology Department of Azerbaijan State University.
After the country regained its independence in 1991, he rose to the position of Presidential Spokesman and Head of the Information Department of the Presidential Administration of the Azerbaijan Republic.
Osman Mirzayev was killed on November 20, 1991 Azerbaijani Mil Mi-8 shootdown in Nagorno Karabakh. He was part of a 22-person international mission to investigate clashes in the region. There were no survivors of the crash. He left a wife and three daughters, all engaged in journalism. Osman Mirzayev is buried at the Alley of Honor in Baku. There are streets and schools named after Osman Mirzayev in Azerbaijan.

Selected awards and honours