10 March, 2021
National Theater Day
On March 10, 2021, an event dedicated to the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Professional National Theater was held at the Union of Theater Workers of Azerbaijan. The event was attended by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Anar Karimov, the head of the art department of the Ministry of Culture Farah Adzhalova, famous artists, representatives of the intelligentsia and the media.
Before the event, Minister Anar Karimov got acquainted with the House of Actor and spoke about further joint events with the leadership of the Union. He then spoke personally with the artists and answered questions from the media.
At the beginning of the event, the participants watched a video collage accompanied by a song dedicated to the Union of Theater Workers. The song written for the opening of the House of Actor in 1971 (music: Tofig Guliyev, lyrics by Aliaga Kurchaili) was performed by singer Aysel Ibragimova in a new adaptation by the People's Artist Siyavush Karimi.
After the screening, the chairman of the Union of Theater Workers of Azerbaijan Azer Pasha Neymatov greeted the guests and congratulated them on the Day of the National Theater: «I am very glad that all of you came to this event in a good mood. We wanted to celebrate this event - this wonderful day in the Great Hall. However, unfortunately, the conditions of the pandemic do not allow this. We used to secretly celebrate National Theater Day as partisans. Then the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev allowed us to celebrate this day as befits a real holiday. President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the Day of National Theater ... ». Noting that 2020 went down in history as the Year of Victory, A. Nematov spoke about the state's concern for theaters, noting that new theaters will be built in Shusha, Fizuli and Aghdam, and employees will work in theaters equipped with modern equipment.
Then he gave the floor to the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Anar Karimov.
The Minister congratulated the participants and theater amateurs: «Today marks the 148th anniversary of the professional Azerbaijani theater. However, the roots of theatrical art in Azerbaijan are very ancient. Festivals, rituals and ceremonies, games and dances were rich in theatrical elements such as movement, chorus and dialogue».
Outstanding playwrights, actors and directors have played an important role in the development of modern Azerbaijani theater, which has a rich and complex history. The merits of Hasan bey Zardabi, Mirza Fatali Akhundzade, Jalil Mammadguluzade, Abdurrahim bey Khagverdiyev, Najaf bey Vazirov, Nariman Narimanov, Husein Javid, Jafar Jabbarli, Ilyas Efendiyev are indisputable.
Karimov added that the occupation of our lands, the Khojaly genocide and other processes that took place in the 90s also affected the theater: «The Iravan, Aghdam, Shushi and Fizuli theaters were expelled from their native lands during the occupation. Fortunately, thanks to the political will and decisive position of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, our glorious army put an end to 30 years of occupation and anguish. One of the main tasks is to return these historic theaters to their homelands. Efforts are already made in this direction».
The Minister noted that the formation of a regulatory framework for theater activities in Azerbaijan is also important: «Law on Theater and Theater Activities» (2006), «Order on the Development of Theater Arts in Azerbaijan»(2007), State Program for the Development of Azerbaijan Theater for 2009-2019 (2009) and other documents (2tify to the constant attention of our state to the theatrical sphere, serve the development of the theatrical process .
Karimov also noted that the Azerbaijan State Academic Russian Drama Theater, the Gusar State Lezgin Drama Theater and the Gakh State Georgian Drama Theater operate in Azerbaijan as a country where multicultural values are promoted. «Once upon a time there was also a Jewish Theater in Azerbaijan. We will try to restore it in the future».
Speaking about the historical stages in the development of the Azerbaijani theater, the minister said that due to the pandemic, theaters are going through the most difficult period. Creative collectives cannot show their talent: «I hope that the pandemic will end soon and Azerbaijani theaters will resume their activities and continue to delight their guests with new performances».
After the speech of the Minister of Culture Anar Karimov, the presenter - People's Artist, laureate of the State Prize Haji Ismailov greeted the guests and congratulated everyone on the holiday. Then the ceremony of awarding the «Senetkar» medal began.
Chairman of the Azerbaijan Theater Workers Union Azer Pasha Nematov announced the admission of an outstanding sculptor, full member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, rector of the Azerbaijan Academy of Arts, laureate of the Heydar Aliyev order, People's Artist Omar Eldarov to the honorary membership of the Azerbaijan Theater Workers Union. Then Omar Eldarov was awarded the «Senetkar» medal and the membership card of the Union.
