My Dagestan

"My Dagestan" is a book written by Dagestani poet Rasul Gamzatov in the Avar language, blending poetry, prose, and criticism. The first part was published in 1967, with the second completed in 1970. It was translated into Russian by Vladimir Soloukhin in 1967 and into English by Julius Katzer and Dorian Rottenberg in 1970. The book is considered a significant work of Dagestani literature.

The text combines poetic fragments with prose, featuring vivid imagery and expressiveness. Gamzatov draws on Dagestan's national traditions and folklore, incorporating proverbs, legends, and parables. Themes include reflections on Dagestan, its people, the author’s native region, moral issues, and history. The narrative employs a lyrical subject, with Gamzatov’s mood shifting throughout, creating a "prose of changeable moods."

The book defies traditional genre classifications, with Gamzatov stating he writes from the heart rather than adhering to literary conventions. It has been highly acclaimed, undergoing 50 editions and translations into 39 languages during Gamzatov's lifetime. Notable translators include Soloukhin for Russian, Katzer and Rottenberg for English, and others for languages like Hindi, French, and Vietnamese.

"My Dagestan" is celebrated by Soviet writers such as Chinghiz Aitmatov, who praised its uniqueness in world literature. It remains Gamzatov’s most famous work among his 31 books translated into foreign languages.