Exploring Azerbaijan's Rich Puppet Theater Culture: A Count

Azerbaijan has a rich history of puppetry arts, with traditional forms of theatre such as oyun (play) that use masks and puppets. The country's first puppet theatre was established in its capital city of Baku in 1931. Today, the country is home to the Abdulla Shaig Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre, located on Neftchiler Avenue in Baku, which offers performances in Azerbaijani and Russian for both children and adults. In addition, the city of Ganja, Azerbaijan's third-largest city, is also home to the Ganja State Puppet Theatre, which was established in 1986 and operates within a building constructed by German settlers in 1885.

The history of the Baku Puppet Theatre

The Baku Puppet Theatre, formally known as the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre, is located on Neftchiler Avenue in Baku, Azerbaijan. The building was initially constructed in 1910 by Polish architect Józef Płoszko as a French Renaissance movie theatre called "Phenomenon".

"Phenomenon" operated as a cinema, casino, and theatre until 1931. In 1921, the building underwent significant modifications by Azerbaijani architect Zivar Bey Ahmadbeyov, who redesigned it for the theatre "Satyragite".

The idea to establish a state-level puppet theatre was proposed by actor and organiser of the Theater Museum, Molla Agha Babirli. This proposal, along with the efforts of theatre activists led by Jafar Jabbarly, led to the founding of the Puppet Theatre in 1931 by the decision of the Education Commission. The first performance, "Circus", was staged in 1932.

From 1931 to 1941, and again from 1946 to 1950, the Puppet Theatre operated independently. In between these periods, it functioned under the Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators (1941-1946) and the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall (1950). In 1964, the theatre attained "State" status, and in 1975, it began presenting plays for adult audiences.

The Baku Puppet Theatre is a distinctive neoclassical building with twin, spired domes. The puppets used in performances vary in size, ranging from a few centimetres to double the size of a human. The shows are primarily aimed at children and are often based on folk or fairy tales, with performances in Azerbaijani, Russian, Turkish, Farsi, or Arabic.

Ticket prices at the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre

The Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre, named after Abdulla Shaig, is located on Neftchiler Avenue in Baku, Azerbaijan. The theatre was founded in 1931 for children and has been independent at different times in its history. Since 1975, the theatre has been performing plays for adult audiences as well.

The standard ticket price at the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre is 3 AZN. This price is consistent across various performances, such as "Kolobok", "Beauty Fatima", and "Aladdin's Magic Lamp". The theatre offers shows in both Russian and Azerbaijani at different times.

The Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre is housed in a building constructed in 1910 by Polish architect Józef Płoszko. Initially, it was a movie theatre known as "Phenomenon" and featured French Renaissance architecture. The building underwent significant renovations in 1921 under Azerbaijani architect Zivar bey Ahmadbeyov to accommodate theatrical performances.

The theatre features puppets of various sizes, ranging from a few centimetres to double the human size. The performances utilise different types of puppets, including large and flat puppets, puppets controlled by threads, and crown dolls operated by gloves.

The building's architecture and design

The Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre, also known as the Baku Puppet Theatre, is located on Neftchiler Avenue in Baku, Azerbaijan. The building was initially constructed in 1910 by Polish architect Józef Płoszko as a movie theatre called "Phenomenon". It was then rebuilt in 1921 by Azerbaijani architect Zivar bey Ahmadbeyov for use as a theatre called "Satyragite". The building was once again repurposed in 1931, this time becoming the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre.

The building's architectural style is said to be French Renaissance. The auditorium hall of the original movie theatre was 24 metres long, 11 metres wide, and 10 metres high, with 400 seats in the parterre, 7 loges, and 3 verandas in the upper section. The architectural appearance of the building is complemented by monuments of four ancient mythological figures: Mercury, Bacchus, Poseidon, and Aphrodite.

The puppets used in performances vary in size, with some being a few centimetres tall, while others are double the size of a human. The theatre features an intricate backstage system designed to move the puppets, with puppeteers hidden from the viewers' sight. The puppets themselves are of various types, including large and flat puppets, puppets at threads, crown dolls (gloves), and mechanical puppets.

The puppeteers and their intricate backstage system

The puppeteers of the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre are skilled manipulators of an intricate backstage system designed to bring the puppets to life. The puppeteers themselves remain hidden from view as they operate large and flat puppets, some of which are double the size of a human. The puppets are controlled by various means, including strings, gloves, and mechanical methods. The puppeteers' backstage system is designed to accommodate these different types of control and manipulation.

The puppeteers' skills are showcased in performances for both children and adults, with the theatre's repertoire including plays based on national epic tales and the writings of Azeri writers. The theatre has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1931. It has operated independently and under different organizations throughout its history, but since 1965, it has maintained its independence. The theatre was renamed in 1974 after the famous Azeri author, Abdulla Shaig, and has retained its status and importance since the break-up of the USSR in 1991.

The building that houses the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre has its own fascinating history. Initially built in 1910 as a movie theatre called "Phenomenon", the building was later redesigned and used for various purposes, including a casino, a theatre called "Satyrogite", a Musical Comedy Theatre, and a Museum of Agricultural Achievements. In 1931, it became the home of the Puppet Theatre, and the first spectacle was "Circus", performed in 1932.

The Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre is located on Neftchiler Avenue in Baku, Azerbaijan's capital city. The building's architectural appearance is notable, featuring monuments of four ancient mythological figures: Mercury, Bacchus, Poseidon, and Aphrodite. With a capacity of 210 seats, the theatre has been a beloved fixture of Baku's cultural scene for decades, offering entertainment and enchantment to both locals and tourists alike.

The types of puppets used

The Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre, also known as the Baku Puppet Theatre, uses a variety of puppets in its performances. The theatre's productions feature large and flat puppets, driven by actor-puppeteers who are hidden from the audience. The theatre uses different types of puppets, including:

• Marionettes (puppets controlled by strings)
• Crown dolls (glove puppets)
• Mechanical puppets

The puppets vary in size, ranging from a few centimetres to double the human size. Some puppets are also tied to the puppeteer's knees.

The kilim-arasy, which translates to "the one under the carpet", is considered the oldest form of Azeri theatre. In this form of puppetry, the puppeteer performs lying on the ground under a small kilim rug held by two assistants. Simple puppets are used, such as glove puppets, finger puppets, and puppets on sticks.

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