Celebrating its 95th anniversary, the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre held its latest performance at the Pirallahi District Youth House as part of its domestic tour program.
The main goal of the theatre’s tour program is to present professional stage performances to young theatre lovers living outside the capital, to increase children’s interest in theatre culture, and to bring the finest examples of national children’s literature to a wider audience.
Opening the event with introductory remarks, Vasif Imanov, Head of the Pirallahi District Executive Authority, described our national theatre as an artistic institution that preserves the cultural memory of our country and noted that such events contribute to the cultural development of the district. He emphasized the role of puppet theatre traditions in strengthening children’s attachment to national and moral values.
Gunay Efendiyeva, Member of Parliament for the 14th Khazar-Pirallahi constituency and Deputy Chair of the Milli Majlis Committee on Culture, stated that the promotion of our national heritage is one of the important directions of our state’s cultural policy. She drew attention to the rich creative traditions of the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre, one of the country’s oldest theatrical institutions. The MP expressed her constant support for projects aimed at reviving cultural life in the districts she represents, including the organization of theatrical performances, and emphasized the importance of continuing such initiatives in the future.
Afterward, the audience watched the play “The Rabbit’s Birthday,” based on the beloved poem-tale by the prominent representative of Azerbaijani children’s literature, Khanimana Alibeyli.
The performance, distinguished by its colorful stage design, musical numbers, and engaging plot, was met with great interest and applause by the young theatre lovers of Pirallahi.
The event was also attended by Emil Abasov, Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party’s Pirallahi district organization; Rashad Ahmadzadeh, Director of the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre and Honored Cultural Worker; Saida Haqverdiyeva, author of the play’s adaptation and stage director; representatives of the Pirallahi District Executive Authority, children of martyrs’ families, the local community, and numerous young theatre lovers.
The play’s adaptation and stage director is Saida Haqverdiyeva, the production designer is Rena Abbasova, the composer is Honored Artist Vugar Jamalzadeh, and the lyrics were written by Sevinc Nuruqizi.
The characters in the one-act puppet show were brought to life by Javid Ibrahimov, Samira Najafova, Bayram Agamaliyev, Araz Hasanli, Konul Nasibova, Sabina Mammadova, Firuza Nasibli-Abbasova, and Elnur Khalilov.