International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has
organized a premiere of the play based on Chingiz Aitmatov's story
"Mother's Field" at the Azerbaijan National Academic Drama
Theater.
The premiere of the play was timed to the 95th anniversary of
Chingiz Aitmatov, the prominent Kyrgyz writer and social and
political figure, Azernews reports.
People's Artist of Azerbaijan Merahim Farzalibayov is the
director of the play staged as a part of cooperation between the
Foundation and the Baku Municipal Theater.
Lots of prominent public, cultural, art and literature figures,
heads of diplomatic missions, members of parliament and creative
young people took part in the premiere of the play.
Additionally, as part of the event, a photo exhibition was
organized reflecting Chingiz Aitmatov's meetings with National
Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev, visits to Baku, etc.
President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage
Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva welcomed the guests of the
ceremony.
In her speech, she stressed the importance of the 100th
anniversary of Heydar Aliyev for the entire Turkic world. She
outlined the Great Leader's special attention to culture and
arts.
"Heydar Aliyev had unique and warm relations with
representatives of culture and arts - writers, poets, directors,
actors, artists, composers. This attitude was not only limited to
Azerbaijan, but also applied to representatives of art from other
countries, including the Turkic world. One of them was Chingiz
Aitmatov, whose 95th anniversary was celebrated this year. He is
the pride of the Kyrgyz people, the great writer of the Turkic
world, and a prominent social and political figure," said Gunay
Afandiyeva.
The foundation president noted the kinship and sympathy between
Heydar Aliyev and Aitmatov, as well as their friendly
relations.
Speaking about the activities of the foundation, Gunay
Afandiyeva listed the foundation studies and projects, aimed at
promoting the rich culture of the Turkic world.
She reminded that in 2018, the foundation celebrated the 90th
anniversary of Chingiz Aitmatov in Azerbaijan.
As part of that event, Kyrgyz artists performed a performance
based on Aitmatov's story "Jamila".
Emphasizing that Aitmatov's works are widely recognized at the
international level, Gunay Afandiyeva said:
"Mother's Field is a woman's tragedy, a mother's cry. However,
in the face of a mother is the pain, suffering and grief of
thousands, millions of mothers. It is the fate of several
generations. While talking about these things, our brave sons who
sacrificed their lives for Karabakh in the Patriotic War pass
before our eyes. At the same time, this play is a tribute to the
souls of our heroes. And, of course, it is a dedication to the
Mothers who gave them to us."
She expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the
preparation of the play, the staff of the Baku Municipal Theater,
its director Aynur Mukhtarova, and the production director,
People's Artist Merahim Farzalibayov.
In his speech, Special Representative of the Kyrgyz President
for Special Assignments, Taalatbek Masadykov, stressed that Heydar
Aliyev is a great son of the Azerbaijani people and the entire
Turkic world.
"We understand the greatness of Heydar Aliyev's personality more
over time. Today, we admire this strong-willed personality who
influenced the course of history," said Masadykov.
Taalatbek Masadykov noted that the great Kyrgyz writer is one of
the most prominent cultural figures of the Turkic world and spoke
about his unparalleled contribution to the all-Turkic cultural
heritage.
"Aitmatov's creativity has deep roots in the traditions and
history of the Kyrgyz people. His works explore universal themes of
love, loss and humanity that resonate with readers around the
world. Aitmatov had the ability to combine traditional Kyrgyz
culture with modern literary forms. Even today, Aitmatov's legacy
continues to inspire a new generation of writers and artists, and
his influence on Turkic cultural heritage will undoubtedly be
passed on to future generations," he added.
The Special Representative expressed his gratitude to Gunay
Afandiyeva, as well as to the creative team of the Baku Municipal
Theater for organizing the event.
The Kyrgyz Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kairat Osmonaliev noted that
Great Leader Heydar Aliyev highly appreciated Chingiz Aitmatov as
both a writer and an outstanding intellectual. The diplomat
outlined that the policies launched by Heydar Aliyev are
successfully continued today.
"In Azerbaijan, there is internal stability, strong unity
between the people and the government, the economy is
strengthening, culture and other areas of public life are
developing. Strong fraternal relations have been established
between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan during 30 years of diplomatic
relations," he said.
Speaking about the story "Mother's Field", the ambassador noted
that "Tolgonai, the hero of the work, took courage, spiritual
strength and wisdom from Mother Earth during the difficult years of
the war."
Kairat Osmonaliev expressed his confidence that this performance
will not leave even the most sophisticated spectators
indifferent.
Chingiz Aitmatov's daughter Shirin Aitmatova addressed the
guests of the event through a video message.
"Aitmatov's narratives were shaped by his experiences of wartime
childhood of extreme hardship. He knew of grief and loss firsthand
having to hand deliver telegrams to soldiers' families informing of
death of fathers, sons and husbands at the war front. He was only
12 years old. Growing up, I thought of my father's stories as a
sort of attempt at incantations to prevent humanity from waging war
again after the horrors of the Second World War. Each and every
work of Aitmatov shows the resolve of the individual to adhere to
moral fortitude, to be kind despite enduring cruelty, to be good in
a world of evil, to stay human despite inhumane conditions.
Aitmatov was brought up by his mother Nagima who raised four
children alone in a Kyrgyz village after the arrest and execution
of Chingiz Aitmatov's statesman father Torekul Aitmatov during the
Stalinist repressions of 1937-38. The stoicism and hardships of
Nagima are lamented through each female protagonist in Aitmatov's
work. The еmpathy that the writer found for the hardships and
inequalities that women faced, I believe, come from the deepest
gratitude to his mother Nagima who had done the unthinkable, raised
four children in dire poverty, children who had all grown to become
respected leaders of the Kyrgyz society," said in the video
message.
The speakers expressed their gratitude to the International
Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, as well as the Baku
Municipal Theater and everyone involved in the organization of this
large-scale event, for fulfilling the important mission of
promoting Turkic culture and heritage.
Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Husniyya Murvetova played the main
character of the story – Tolgonai.
Chingiz Aitmatov's work was translated into Azerbaijani by
Teymur Elchin. Honored artist Samaya Sadigova, actors Rashad
Kasamanli, Tural Ahmad, Namig Javadov, Elchin Muradov, Ulviyya Rza,
Ismayil Atakishiyev, Zulfiyya Mammadova, Gunel Gamidova, Aynur
Abbasova, Arzu Aghayeva took part in the theater production, which
immediately won the hearts of the spectators.
---