Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

The history of Azerbaijan's theater dates back to more than 140 years. It is a distinctive national art in Azerbaijan with a rich and vibrant tradition. Genius masters like Mirza Fatali Akhundzade, Najaf bey Vezirov and Hasan Bey Zardabi formed the basis of the country's theater.

Akhundzade's "Vizier of Lankaran Khanate" comedy initially was performed in Baku on March 10, 1873 under the leadership of Zardabi and active participation of Vezirov. The history of Azerbaijani theater began with the performance.

The author of the comedy, who learned about this event from the "Caucasus" newspaper wrote to Zardabi in a letter: "I ​​am and old man waiting for my death anytime soon, but this news has prolonged my life for ten years."

The comedy, which is considered a classic work in the history of Azerbaijan theater, has recently been performed for the Turkish audience. It came during the visit of a team of Azerbaijan's State Academic Drama to Turkey to participate in the Sabanci Uluslararasi Adana theater festival.

Directors of the play are Azerbaijan's Honored Artist Vagif Ibrahimoglu and Tural Mustafayev, while art director - Honored Artist Rashid Sherif and composer - People's Artist Siyavush Karimi.

During the visit, Director of Azerbaijan's State Academic Drama Israfil Israfilov met Chairman of the Union of the Turkish State Theaters Mustafa Kurtun. The meeting discussed issues of further strengthening ties between the two countries' theaters, as well as the implementation of joint projects.

The performance, which made ​​a furor among the public at the end of the 19th century, was warmly greeted by the Turkish public.

Written in 1267 lunar year - 1850 or 1851 BC- the comedy deals with the tyrannical rulers of Azerbaijani khanates, on the eve of the establishment of the Russian authorities in the country.

In the period from 1852 to 1853, the comedy was successfully performed in Tbilisi.

"Vizier of Lankaran Khanate" was released as a book in 1928.