"I WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE AS I'VE LIVED FOR 60 YEARS"

Yasar Mammadsadiq oglu Nuri was born into the family of the famous actor Mammadsadiq Nuriyev on 3 September 1951 in Baku. He first appeared on stage at 11, playing the role of Tapdiq in the play Toy Kimindir? (Whose wedding is it?) at the Azerbaijan State Musical Comedy Theatre. An outstanding representative of Azerbaijani theatre, Yasar Nuri has starred in cinema as well. He created a number of memorable images in the movies Bayin Ogurlanmasi (The Kidnapping of the Groom), Yaramaz (Bastard), Yoxlama (Inspection) and Yol Ahvalati (Road Accident). The actor has played in more than 100 TV plays, compositions and satirical scenes on state television. Among them are people's favourite roles in the dramas Yollar Gorusanda (When Paths Cross), Omur Yollari (Life Paths), Evlari Kondalan Yar (Houses at an Angle), Kokdan Dusmus Piano (The Out-of-Tune Piano), Qatarda (On the Train) and others.

In 1981, the actor was given the title of Honoured Artist and in 1989 People's Artist of Azerbaijan. In 1991, he was awarded the State Prize of Azerbaijan, and subsequently, the Golden Dervish award twice. Under the decree of President Ilham Aliyev, the actor was awarded the Order of Sohrat (Glory) in September 2011.

We had to try hard to find the popular actor and talk to him. There were more than enough people wishing to congratulate and interview the hero of the day, and now the holder of the Order of Sohrat. We caught up with him on the coast with friends as he was trying to take time out from all this turmoil

- Yasar muallim, let me congratulate you on behalf of our magazine on your 60th birthday and the Order of Sohrat.

- Thank you. I thank Mr President for this assessment of my work and for awarding me this order.

- How does Yasar Nuri feel at 60?

- Thank God, I am much better now. I am 60 years old and I feel like a 60-year-old.

- Is there a creative peak for you? If so, what should be done to conquer it?

- In my understanding, there is no peak in art. Mountains have them, and they are conquered by mountaineers. Maybe for some people there is a peak in art, and they even believe that they have already conquered it. That's their business. But for Yasar Nuri, there is no such peak. There's only a high point, and for me it's the love and applause of the audience. It's not applause for two or three minutes after the performance. Love is when you are loved in life and on stage, when there is someone beside you at difficult times, helping you to stand up when you fall. This is the love of the people, and Mr President has confirmed this love for me.

- Did you analyse your life during your illness?

- Yes. But I will continue to live as I lived these 60 years. I do not want to change anything - I want to remain the same: with my grief, sins and success. I haven't and will not change anything. You can't avoid what God has in store for you. Hence, you have to live this way.

- Do you think it's easy to help those who are out of tune in life?

-No. You know, first, you must try to prevent this from happening. But if it happens, you have to be out of tune in such a way that you can be tuned. Actually, this phrase is more appropriate for musical instruments, and mostly the piano. Yes, people can also be out of tune. At these moments, a lot depends on the person himself. Tuning can be difficult, but necessary. Sometimes people may even turn their back on you, if you're out of tune. But I would advise these people not to rush to turn their back. On the contrary, a little support can re-tune someone. We are not walls to stay indifferent to what is happening. By the way, can you imagine what would happen if walls began to speak?

- Has your attitude to the environment and what is happening changed since your illness?

- I used to respond to everything at once. But at this age, I rarely give myself up. I try to solve everything within myself. Let it be for myself or for anyone else. I feel that it should be done.

- What's Yasar Nuri complaining about?

- Yes, I'm complaining. But I'm complaining about myself. Doctors say I have to get rid of bad habits, but I can't. I have to stick to a diet and eat less, but I don't follow these requirements. You know, in my opinion, a person must first complain about himself.

- And finally, when are you returning to the stage?

- On 5 October, I'll be back on stage. My birthday will be celebrated at the state level in the Azerbaijan Drama Theatre. After this, I will appear on stage in the same theatre. I'm in two plays. When I was ill, many spectators said: "Yasar muallim, the most important thing is to get better, but you don't have to return to the stage." But I'm returning again for the sake of the audience. I breathe on stage. I always tell my students that they should love art and be consumed with passion for it. This is the main secret of success.