Leyla Həsənova

Leyla was born in Şəki in the spring of 1941, the youngest of five. She grew up among walnut trees and silk workshops, and never lost her love of either.

For 38 years she taught literature at School No. 3. Former students still stop her family in the street to recite the poems she made them learn by heart.

She married Rauf in 1963. Together they raised three children and later seven grandchildren, all of whom know that no guest leaves her table without tea and quince jam.