"… LASTS MORE THAN A HUNDRED YEARS" … CONFESSION

For the first time in the history of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS countries, the creative award named after Chingiz Aitmatov has been bestowed upon a woman — director from Azerbaijan, Mehriban Alakbarzade! This accolade highlights our country's contributions to fostering and strengthening cultural and friendly ties on the international stage, while introducing representatives of all CIS countries to the production adaptation of Chingiz Aitmatov's famous novel, The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years.

The award, along with a commemorative badge, was presented to our compatriot at the Tavrichesky Palace in St. Petersburg, a historic venue graced by numerous notable figures throughout history. On November 22, 2024, in this iconic setting, amid a solemn ceremony attended by representatives of all CIS countries, Valentina Matvienko, Chairwoman of the Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Russian Federation, presented this prestigious honour to Mehriban Alakbarzade—the Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan and laureate of the State Prize of Azerbaijan. This moment was significant in both its meaning and symbolism, further amplified by the fact that, at the very same time, the play The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years was being performed on the stage of the National Drama Theatre in Baku.

"Don't you think there was something mystical about this 'non-random chance'?"

"This was the question I posed to the audience in my brief speech, leaving it to them to decide: was it a coincidence or a pattern?"

"How do you interpret this situation yourself?"

"The short answer is that there are no accidents."

"Why did you choose this particular novel by Aitmatov?"

"Because the theme of 'mankurtism' is more relevant today than ever."

"Can you elaborate?"

"The novel was first published in the USSR back in 1980. But even then, Aitmatov foresaw the global erosion of ancestral, historical, ethnic, cultural, and traditional roots. This phenomenon, which he called 'mankurtism,' resonates profoundly with the challenges humanity faces today."

"Why does this issue hold such deep significance for you, given your diverse and remarkable creative and professional background?"

"Because I am Azerbaijani. I cherish the history of my people and deeply respect and value our traditional and cultural heritage. My aspiration is to preserve what previous generations of our ancestors have created, both morally and socially."

"I admire how your civic dedication is reflected in your professional work, whether in cinema or theatre. While many directors in other theatres aim merely to entertain, you engage your audience in serious, sometimes unflattering, and even harsh dialogues, yet they do not turn away. Instead, their numbers grow. A case in point is your play Iblis and..., which has drawn full houses since its premiere in September. Why do you think it resonates so strongly?"

"The play has indeed found success with our audience. This outcome reflects the professionalism and dedication of everyone involved in the theatre, from the support staff to the leading actors. Theatre becomes art with a capital 'A' only when every element of the production process operates collectively and cohesively. Additionally, Huseyn Javid’s philosophical exploration of the human condition and the substitution of genuine values with false 'ideals' is as thought-provoking for the audience as it is for me. This shared concern inspires a meaningful dialogue."

"Am I correct in understanding that comedy has never been your preferred genre professionally?"

"That's true. Comedy is not my genre. I would describe it as belonging to a particular 'laughing' worldview."

"Where does your deep and serious perspective on life and theatre stem from?"

"I’ve never consciously reflected on it..."

"And yet?"

"Perhaps it comes from my father, who nurtured my love of reading at an early age."

"Which authors have shaped your choice of such a challenging profession as a director and interpreter of literary works?"

"Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Huseyn Javid, Nizami, Akhundov, and Bulgakov. I greatly admire their works."

"Will we see any of the works by these favourite authors brought to life on the stage of your theatre?"

"I wish I could adapt them all, but it’s impossible to encompass everything."

"What are you currently working on? Dostoevsky, Nizami, or Bulgakov?"

"No, it’s one of Elchin’s works."

"Which one?"

"It’s too early to reveal. All I can say is that it’s a piece of prose with a fascinating historical intrigue."

"Consider your fans intrigued! Still, shouldn’t we offer the readers some clues?"

"Alright, you’re right. At the moment, I’m working on a stage adaptation of The Head by Elchin, our celebrated folk writer."

"I’m certain this revelation will heighten excitement among your followers, especially those familiar with the novel. Your work consistently explores two dominant creative themes: the history of the cultural and intellectual evolution of ethnicity and the position of women in the modern world. Which do you consider more pertinent?"

"I wouldn’t rank them as 'more' or 'less' relevant. They’re two sides of the same coin, equally significant."

"What were your emotions when witnessing the overwhelming success of Iblis and... in both St. Petersburg and Baku?"

"Pride. Pride for the theatre, the actors, and the classical dramaturgy that sparked genuine interest among my Russian colleagues. Above all, pride in belonging to the Azerbaijani nation, which has a genetic legacy of tolerance towards people of all ethnicities and religions."

"And what did you feel when receiving the Chingiz Aitmatov Prize at the Tavrichesky Palace? Beyond the personal accolade, this was a moment of international recognition for the importance of your contributions to the theatrical arts, transcending linguistic, national, and geographical boundaries."

"Pride for my country — Azerbaijan!"

"Thank you for this inspiring conversation, Mehriban-khanim. We wish you and the National Drama Theatre continued success."

"Thank you. I wish your team great achievements and enduring collaboration with their readers."