5-6 November, 2018
V Baku International Theatre Conference “Theatre Philosophy of the XXI Century: the Concept of Existence”.
On 5-6 November, 2018, the 5thBaku International Theatre Conference entitled “Theatrical Theory of the 21stCentury: Concept of Existence” was organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Azerbaijan Republic, Union of Theatre Workers of Azerbaijan and the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. The purpose of the conference is to highlight the contemporary problems of the modern world theatre in the context of intercultural dialogue, to present the idea of “unlimited theatre”, and also to restore the flow of information and information to the theatre space of Azerbaijan.
The event, held at the Azerbaijan State Musical Theatre, was attended by theatrepeople from more than 40 countries of the world.
The participants first got acquainted with the exhibition of photographs about the international theatre conferences held in the lobby of the theatre and the book exhibition organized by the National Library. A video about the history of the International Theatre Conference and the glorious past of the Azerbaijan Theatre was shown at the opening ceremony. Then on the stage was the performance of an inclusive troupe of people with disabilities, as a part of the “Unlimited” program of the British Council in Azerbaijan. The demonstration presented by the troupe reflected the problems faced by people with physical disabilities in society.
Farah Aliyeva,Head of the Humanitarian Policy Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, welcomed the participants and read a congratulatory letter from President Ilham Aliyev addressed to the conference participants.
Minister of Culture Abulfaz Garayev in his speech spoke about the significance of the conference in our country. He said: “The conference is held within the framework of the State Program“Azerbaijan Theatre in 2009-2019”, approved by order of President Ilham Aliyev dated 18 May, 2009. This year 120 foreign guests take part in the conference. Among the speakers are the leaders of influential international organizations. The convocation of theatrical figures from different countries and the holding of such an event in Baku instill in us a sense of pride.
The Azerbaijani government pays great attention to the development of performing arts. Our theatre moved to a new stage in the XXI century. Our theatres successfully participate in the most famous festivals of the world. In our country, as in all fields of social life, special attention is paid to culture. International events, forums, conferences, international competitions and projects held in our country on the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, in general, serve the recognition of our state ... ... Our professional performing arts field has for more than a century years history. Our theatres, operating not only in Baku, but also in the regions, have embarked on a new development way. Recently, we celebrated the 50thanniversary of the Sumgayit State Theatre and the Mingachevir State Drama Theatre.
Today, 20 percent of the territory of Azerbaijan is occupied by the armed forces of Armenia. Theatre buildings, numerous cultural and art monuments were destroyed in those places. Today the theatres of Agdam, Fizuli, Shusha and Irevan live on the fate of refugees and are forced to overcome all difficulties in order to ensure their existence. We must try to protect all cultural values that belong to our people. Speaking about the current conference, the minister said that the conference participants will take part in the international festival of M.A.P., organized by the YARAT Centre for Contemporary Art.
People’s Artist Azer Pasha Nematov, President of the International Theatre Institute Mohammed Al-Afkham, UNESCO World Artist Ali Mahdi, Chairman of the Commission on Public Relations of the International Union of Puppet Theatres (UNIMA) Kartina Klanchnik-Kokutar, rector of the GITIS Gregory Zaslavsky, President of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ) Yvette Hardy spoke about the importance of holding the conference, stressed this importance from the point of view of mutual exchange of views and solidarity of theatres over theworld.