Molla Nasraddin Magazine
Date
Credits
- Jalil Mammadguluzadeh Editor-In-Chief
- Omar Faig Nemanzadeh Author
- Mirza Alakbar Sabir Author
- Abdurrahim bey Hagverdiyev Author
- Ali Nazmi Author
- Aligulu Gamkusar Author
- Mammed Said Ordubadi Author
- Mirza Ali Mojuz Author
- Oskar Schmerling Artist
- Josef Rotter Artist
- Azim Azimzade Artist
Format
- Magazine 707
Molla Nasraddin Magazine is a magazine founded by famous Azerbaijani writer Jalil Mammadguluzadeh, and initially published in Tiflis, Georgia from 1906 to 1917, then later in Tabriz, Iran and Baku, Azerbaijan from 1921 – 1931. Through the use of Molla Nasraddin, a 13th century character in Muslim folklores, the magazine satirically critiqued socio-cultural issues such as inequality, cultural assimilation, and corruption. It also criticized regressive mindsets of the clergy and religious fanatics. Content in the magazine called for modern, progressive attitudes and norms, particularly after numerous Russian bans. In the first image, Molla is seen saying, “Don't bring this Devil's instrument (an industrial machine) to our land;” in the second image, a Muslim character is shown saying, “Let's go and watch this play in the Muslims' theater,” with the westernized friend replying, "Never! To go to a play in the Muslims" theater is beneath me" (https://gdiran.blogspot.com).
This magazine provides insight into the development of propaganda and advertisement design and commentary, and the response to it in the Middle East during the early 1900s. Here, a familiar cultural character is used to deliver the messages with illustration and minimal typography, similar to mini comics.
