In 1919, when the democratic government of Azerbaijan was one year old, 20-year-old Jafar Jabbarly wrote a perfect patriotic poem Olkem (My Country) that was actual at the time. 10 years later, a talented musician Asaf Zeynalli wrote music for this poem. Thus, the romance Olkem became the first example of classic European romance in the history of Azerbaijani music. This work is one of the most serious and important works in the history of Azerbaijani music.The poem Olkem was published in the 92nd edition of the newspaper Azerbaijan on January 1, 1919 under the name Sevimli Olkem (My Beloved Country). Then the poem consisted of six verses. However, during the Soviet Union, the poem became known deprived of two couplets. The reason for this was the presence in these two couplets of lines that did not conform to the Soviet ideology.Let's turn back to the year of writing the poem Olkem. 20 -year-old Jafar Jabbarly in those years showed himself an ardent patriot and did not remain indifferent to the developments in the country. Jafar Jabbarly contributed to the Azerbaijani art not only as a literary playwright, but also as a screenwriter, a director, a journalist, a translator and even the author of texts of a few songs. He translated into Azerbaijani works of world literature, authors such as Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Schiller, Gorky and Beaumarchais. His translation of the work Hamlet by Shakespeare was the basis for theater productions and is used now. In addition, it is worth noting his own dramatic works Solgun Chichekler, Aydin, Ogtay Eloglu, Sevil, Almaz, Yashar, In 1905, as well as several plays. The fact that Jafar Jabbarly participated in the selection of music for theater productions proves the musical talent of this man. Jafar Jabbarly acted as a writer and director in 1928, during the adaptation of Akhundov's Haji Gara and the works Sevil and Almaz. He also became the first national writer. Jafar Jabbarly wrote songs for his own plays. For example, for the play Od Gelini he wrote the song Men Bir Solmaz Yarpagam Ki, for the play In 1905 he wrote the song Azad Bir Gushdum, for the play Yashar he wrote Senin Derdinden. They say that in the process of setting the drama Sevil Jafar Jabbarly himself wrote several musical passages. Among his works the song Sene Ne Olub, Zalim Yar? also took its due place.If we talk about the joint activities of Jabbarly and Asaf Zeinally, it is worth noting that they still in 1920 worked together in the Baku -Turkish Working Theater. Then the theater set the drama Sevil by Jafar Jabbarly. And the music for this production was written by Asaf Zeynally. This collaboration led to friendship, despite ten-year difference in age. Zeynally lived only 23 years. But he lived a bright and busy life. He initiated the genre of classical European music in Azerbaijan. He was looking for ways to report eastern music to western listener. He was invited to teach at a music school when he was a teenager and studied at the Conservatory. In this school Zeinally taught Gara Garayev, Jovdat Hajiyev, Zakir Bagirov, Tofig Guliyev, and Amina Dilbazi. The romance Olkem was written by 19-year-old Zeynally in 1928. The text was not chosen by chance. Zeynally was already familiar with Jabbarly. And the theme of the text was serious and close to the composer.The romance long sought a performer. In 1931 it was finally performed. 33-year-old Bulbul, who completed his 4-year education at the Milan Opera, met with the song Olkem. They say Bulbul was first accompanied on the piano by the composer himself. Later the pianists changed. In 1956 the performance by Bulbul was accompanied by Vladimir Kozlov and recorded. Despite many recorded performances of the romance Olkem, this romance is still associated with the name Bulbul. Alas, it was not possible to find a recording of the Bulbul romance accompanied by a symphony orchestra.Some performances of the romance Olkem are chronologically earlier than the performance by Bulbul. In the "golden fund" there are records of the romance dated 1955. The performers were Rauf Atakishiyev and the first woman, who performed the song Olkem, Sona Aslanova. Rauf Atakishiyev, unlike Bulbul, performed the song in the European manner. There was not a single national note in this version. However, thanks to the voice capabilities of Rauf Atakishiyev, the performance looks very interesting. Sona Aslanova also became the first woman who sang this song. Thus, it was a model for all subsequent performers.In 1957, the opera singer Firyangiz Ahmedova sang the song. This performance was accompanied by a symphony orchestra. The performance turned out very warm and in the national intonation. This performance was one of the most memorable performances in the history of the romance.In 1958, a new record was made. This time, the romance was performed by Mobil Ahmedov. Then in 1963, Lutfiyar Imanov and in 1972, Rauf Adygezalov performed the romance. All the three versions were a continuation of the Bulbul performance, and were recorded, accompanied only by the piano.In 1972 there was another performance accompanied by a symphony orchestra under the direction of Niyazi: a young budding singer Fidan Gasimova sang this song in Moscow in the Large Columned Hall with a serious audience. The performance under the direction of maestro Niyazi was a very important step and at the same time honor. And this idea was highly appreciated among the students and professional musicians.In January 1975, the work was performed by Yashar Safarov, again accompanied by the piano. The recording of this performance is also one of the most successful due to the range and timbre of the voice. This version was the latest in the chronicle of the 70s.A few years after the performance by Fidan Gasimova, the romance was sung by her sister Khuraman Gasimova. This was in the mid 80s. And again, it was accompanied by a symphony orchestra. Khuraman Gasimova perfectly performed this song.The performance by Gulaga Mamedov in 1987 completes the list of the records of the romance Olkem in the "golden fund". The singer was accompanied by an orchestra of folk instruments.However, a new list of performers started. They are artists of our century. Among them are Azer Zeynalov, Anar Shushaly, Rovshan Gasimov, Fidan Hajiyeva and others. All these singers performed the romance in a classical manner.In 2007, the radio and television sounded a new interpretation of the romance. The arrangement belongs to Jamil Amirov. Tunzala Agayeva and Jamil Amirov attracted the attention of the modern listeners to this romance. The public reaction to this performance was mixed. There were opponents who talked about the weakness of the vocal performer and the irrelevance of the arrangements, and there were also supporters of such a representation of the romance.Thus, the romance, exchanging its ninth decade, has become a worthy example of Azerbaijani music and poetry. The text and music of this romance reflected the image of Azerbaijan. It is difficult to find a second work, which would contain so deep a philosophy.Prepared: Aliya HagverdiWhen preparing, the materials from Public Television of Azerbaijan ITV were used Translation: Surkhay Murad ANN.Az