President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attend the inauguration of the Marionette Theatre in Icherisheher

On December 24, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the inauguration of the Marionette Theatre in Icherisheher.

The President of Azerbaijan and his spouse became familiarized with the conditions created in the theatre building.

Located at 20, Muslim Magomayev Street, the building of the Marionette Theatre was constructed in 1880, in the neoclassicism style, using antique characters and motifs. A historical-architecture monument of local significance, the building belonged to Salimkhanovs, Baku’s noblemen. Elements of the classical Russian architecture and European decors related to late 19^th century were used on the building’s facade.

With a view to preserving relatedness to national values and conveying the cultural heritage to future generations, the Marionette Theatre has been operating under the Icherisheher State History and Architecture Reserve, since 2013. Complex works have been carried out, with special support from President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, who has been a protector of our historical and cultural heritage, our national and spiritual values, promoting them on the international arena. As a result, a building was allocated for the theatre in Icherisheher, and works on adapting this building to the theatre’s activity have been accomplished with success. Puppets to be used in the theatre will be made in the workshop functioning here.

The phenomenon of Marionette Theatre, along with being quite interesting, is among the genres of theatre arts being popular around the world. This genre is one of the theatrical genres that are difficult to achieve, yet most interesting and attractive. Due to being difficult, such a theatre art does not exist in the majority of countries. In Azerbaijan, the Marionette Theatre was first founded in the middle of 1980s at the initiative of theatre producer and artist Tarlan Orujov. Arousing interest in all age groups, this theatre genre combines most different areas of our people’s rich, multilateral cultural heritage – architecture, national garments and music, speech melodic of our language, lifestyle of our people, our holidays and dances.

Then, the President and his spouse saw a fragment from “Leyli and Majnun” Opera performed by marionette puppets on the theatre’s scene.

Leyli and Majnun, a love legend belonging to ancient Oriental folklore, has been the most popular topic of the Middle Ages’ literature. Over 50 poets, including Nizami Ganjavi and Mahammad Fuzuli, wrote poems with the same title. Composer genius Uzeir Hajibeyli composed “Leyli and Majnun” Opera in 1907, synthesizing Oriental mugham with Western classic music. “Arshyn Malalan” Operetta and “Leyli and Majnun” Opera are occupying their special places at the Marionette Theatre. The theatre successfully held the premiere of “Arshyn Malalan” in France in 1990, and later years, this operetta was shown in a number of world countries. Today, the theatre’s touring map includes such countries as Germany, USA, Russia, Poland and Sweden.

President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva made themselves familiarized also with new “Shirvanshahlar” collection of the Icherisheher Traditional Arts Centre.

The Arts Centre was founded in October 2012, following the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s initiative, on the basis of an agreement reached between the Icherisheher State History and Architecture Reserve under the Cabinet of Ministers and the Prince's School of Traditional Arts. As a result of the centre’s four-year fruitful activity, a group of young artisans have been educated for the future development of Azerbaijan’s art and craftsmanship. Various products inspired by Azerbaijan’s history and cultural heritage, at the same time, meeting commercial requirements of the modern market and aesthetical sensitivity are produced here. Rich culture of the state of “Shirvanshahlar”, who have ruled on the Azerbaijani territory in 9-14^th centuries, have been reflected in the collection. Bayil Fortress, built in the 8^th century by order of Shrivanshah 3rd Fariburz, the Shirvanshahlar Palace Complex related to the 8 – 14^th centuries of the Shirvan-Absheron architectural school, as well as attributes of the state of Shrivanshahlar have been chosen as the main source of inspiration by the designers who have created the collection.

Then a photo was taken.