"I MUST TRY TO BE THE FIRST IN EVERYTHING ..."

The name of the dancer, Ulvi Azizov, is well-known to ballet connoisseurs. He holds the prestigious awards "For his contribution to the development of ballet art and a high level of professional excellence" at the 16th Rudolf Nureyev International Festival World Ballet Stars and the People's Choice Award at the 18th World Ballet Stars International Gala in Budapest under the auspices of the Hungarian State Opera. Today he lives in Prague, continuing to delight the world with his talent. R+ managed to arrange a meeting with Ulvi Azizov and interview him.

- When did you realize that ballet is your love for life?

- At 16, I began studying ballet purposefully. And, incidentally, I am still in love with this art form.

- Did the opinion of your father - People's Artist of Azerbaijan Rafiq Azizov - affect your choice of profession?

- Of course. Since childhood, I have been very active, and I have been practicing sports. I have always had diverse interests: singing, karate, football, cynology. My dogs once even won the first prize in the national championship. In short, I was very energetic and active. My parents decided to send this energy in the right direction.

- Did the fame and status of your father help or hinder your education?

- My father gave advice. He was my support. If I failed in this or that movement in choreography classes, dad showed me how to do it. I tried my best. I wanted to prove to others that I myself was worth something and that I could succeed without my father's patronage. I remember how my father often said to me that I should try to be the first in everything.

- What are the most vivid childhood memories associated with your father?

- When I was six years old, my father took me to a concert, which took place in the present Heydar Aliyev Palace. I still remember how everyone turned around when we walked, approached us with great respect and greeted my father. Then it made a very big impression on me. My father told me that in the 1970s, he was visited by the great Mikhail Baryshnikov. They were supposed to go to a festival in France together. In the evening they drank a lot, and the next morning, my father invited Mikhail to eat the xas, which is quite invigorating. But even after the xas, the friends staggered - they had such an emotional time the night before.

- It is argued that a dancer's body wears out much faster than that of a ballerina, because he needs to "carry" his female partner on himself. Is this true?

- To make sure that the body does not wear out, you need to work hard on yourself and pay attention to nutrition.

- And what should the female partner be like?

- The most important thing is the professionalism of the partner and her attitude to the dance. I am pleased when my partner is confident in what she is doing and when she understands what she is dancing. She must be natural and artistic at the same time.

- What is the stage for you?

- It is not just a job, it is my favourite thing in life.

- Do you have a favourite part?

- Prince Siegfried in "Swan Lake", Prince Desire in "Sleeping Beauty", Albert in "Giselle" and Basil in the ballet "Don Quixote" became my favourite parts recently.

- Is your wife Olga also linked to ballet? Tell us how you met.

- Olga is an economist by education. She graduated from the University of Latvia. She only studied ballet as a child, and she is now the founder and artistic director of the gala concert Etoile Ballet Gala. We find it very interesting together, because we are engaged in a common cause. We always support each other.

- Ulvi, tell us what you are working on at the moment?

- Just recently, I returned from Saratov, where I participated in the 25th international Sobinov Festival. I danced in the ballet "Giselle" in the role of Count Albert. My impressions are amazing! Excellent organization and a very warm atmosphere. In the near future, I plan to participate in two gala concerts World Ballet Stars. One will be held in Varna in honour of the closure of the grand 25th International Ballet Competition, which, incidentally, was founded in 1964 and became the first professional international ballet competition in the world. At one time, it was attended by such masters of the stage as Vladimir Vasilyev, Natalya Makarova, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Sylvie Guillem, etc. The second gala concert will be held in Miami in honour of the closure of the International Ballet Festival, which runs from 24 August to 16 September. It will also feature artists from the Paris Grand Opera, Berlin State Ballet and others.

- Do you have a passion in life besides ballet?

- I like travelling and going to theatres, museums and cinemas. Recently, my wife and I visited Prague Castle, which is located in Hradcany on a high hill overlooking Prague. It is extremely rich in architectural, artistic and historical treasures. Unbelievable experience!

- What kind of part are you dreaming of? What are your plans for the future?

- My dream is to dance in the legendary choreographer John Neumeier's ballet "The Lady of the Camellias". As for the plans, I have plenty of them. I will definitely share them with the readers. In the meantime, I have something to work on.

- You have a family, a favourite job, constant tours, performances and flights. Do you have a desire to stop and spend more time at home and with your family?

- For me and my wife, ballet is a common cause. She never misses any of my performances. She is always nearby. As far as possible, she travels with me on tours, after all, from her point of view, it is very interesting - she can see and meet with artists and invite them to the gala concert she organizes, so the idea of "stopping and spending more time at home and with the family" is a little irrelevant for us.