Union of Theater Workers of Azerbaijan

The Union of Theater Workers of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Teatr Xadimləri İttifaqı) is a public creative organization that unites theater professionals in Azerbaijan. It traces its origins to 1897, when it was founded as the "Union of Actors" with around 300 members. Over the decades it operated under several names: from 1917 as the "Union of Muslim Artists," from 1920 as the "Union of Turkic Actors," from 1945 (or 1948 according to some sources) as the "Azerbaijan Theater Society," and finally, by a decision of the founding conference on 27 February 1987, it was renamed the "Union of Theater Workers of Azerbaijan." Throughout its history, the organization has pursued a single mission: the development and promotion of Azerbaijani national theater art. The Union is headquartered in Baku and is led by Azerpasha Nemat, a People's Artist of Azerbaijan. It is a member of the International Confederation of Theater Unions and the International Theater Institute of UNESCO. The organization actively participates in the national theater process, organizes theater festivals of various formats, and supports young talents. It has established several awards, including the Golden Dervish Prize, the Theater Worker Gold and Silver Medals, the Artist Medal, the Stage Light Prize, the Heritage Prize, and an Honor Decree. The Union's website, teatrittifaqi.az, was launched in 2013 and redesigned in 2020 in three languages (Azerbaijani, Russian, and English) to provide detailed information about the organization's history and current activities and to expand its international connections. The Union continues to serve as a key institution in Azerbaijan's cultural landscape, fostering theater arts and international cultural exchange.

The Union of Theater Workers of Azerbaijan was founded in 1897 as the "Union of Actors," initially bringing together around 300 comedians. In the pre-Soviet years, theatrical associations and societies that preceded the Union were led by enlightened intellectuals such as Sultan Majid Hanizade, Abdurrahim Bey Hagverdiyev, Habib bey Mahmudbeyov, the brothers Uzeyir Hajibeyov and Zulfugar Hajibeyov, and Abbas Mirza Sharifzade. The organization continued its activities from 1917 as the "Union of Muslim Artists," from 1920 as the "Union of Turkic Actors," and from 1945 (or 1948 according to some sources) as the "Azerbaijan Theater Society." Later, the Theater Society was led by prominent artists such as Shovkat Mammadova, Rza Tahmasib, Marziya Davudova, Mustafa Mardanov, Mehdi Mammadov, Shamsi Badalbeyli, Lutfiyar Imanov, and Hasanagha Turabov. On 27 February 1987, by a decision of the founding conference, the organization was renamed the "Union of Theater Workers of Azerbaijan." Since the 1950s, it has developed into an organization with strong potential that drives the theatrical process. Today, it is a member of the International Confederation of Theater Unions and the International Theater Institute of UNESCO. The Union's website was launched in 2013 and redesigned in 2020 in three languages to reflect its history and current activities.

• 2020

  Website redesigned in three languages (Azerbaijani, Russian, English).

• 2013

  Website teatrittifaqi.az launched.

• 1987

  On 27 February, renamed "Union of Theater Workers of Azerbaijan" by decision of the founding conference.

• 1945

  Renamed "Azerbaijan Theater Society" (some sources say 1948).

• 1920

  Renamed "Union of Turkic Actors".

• 1917

  Renamed "Union of Muslim Artists".

• 1897

  Founded as the "Union of Actors" with around 300 members.

Azerbaijan's oldest creative organization dedicated to the development and promotion of national theater art, with international affiliations.

1. 1Azərbaycan Teatr Xadimləri İttifaqı - Əsas səhifəteatrittifaqi.az
2. 2Union of Theater Workers of Azerbaijan - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Union des travailleurs de théâtre de l'Azerbaïdjan - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org