This cultural event is scheduled to take place at Theatre Les Salons in Geneva, on March 23rd and 24th, transporting the audience into the magical world of Azerbaijani folklore and storytelling.
The “Heritage“ Association is a devoted guardian of Azerbaijan’s cultural legacy. Founded on the belief that culture is the heartbeat of a nation, the “Heritage” organization seeks to contribute to a deep understanding of Azerbaijan’s artistic, literary, musical, and culinary treasures. The purpose of the association is to establish a medium for displaying, spreading, and conserving Azerbaijani culture. One of Heritage’s main activities is organizing events beyond Azerbaijan, where people join them in ethnic jazz performances, concerts, plays, lectures, and food tasting.
Arshin Mal Alan, or ‘The Cloth Peddler’, is the crown jewel of Azerbaijani cultural heritage. Penned by renowned Azerbaijani playwright and composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli (who is often referred to as Azerbaijani classic music’s father) in 1913, this musical comedy has transcended time and cultural boundaries, captivating audiences with its engaging storyline, memorable characters, and enchanting melodies. Arshin Mal Alan’s story is told against the backdrop of early 20th-century Azerbaijan, exploring the social norms and customs of the time. Asker, who is the main character, is a young man from a rich family who longs for love. However, the old social norms prevent him from interacting freely with a woman before marriage. To overcome this hurdle, Asker devises a plan to disguise himself as a cloth peddler, allowing him to visit different households and, more importantly, to meet and interact with potential brides. A melodic symphony is the centerpiece of the play, which blends traditional Azerbaijani folk tunes with Western musical elements to create a musical experience that is both harmonious and captivating. The compositions complement the storyline and serve as a cultural bridge, transcending linguistic barriers and resonating with audiences worldwide.
In a delightful homage to the enduring legacy of Arshin Mal Alan, audiences visiting Baku are treated to a unique and enchanting spectacle at the Baku Marionette Theatre. This special adaptation, brought to life by the creative genius of Tarlan Gorchu, adds a whimsical and innovative dimension to Hajibeyli’s timeless masterpiece. The adaptation of the Baku Marionette Theatre takes the enchanting characters and narrative of Arshin Mal Alan and breathes new life into them through the captivating art of puppetry. The technology behind a puppet show is a time and labour-consuming process. A large international team of woodcarvers, mechanics, and artists, who paint and decorate the dolls, masters of costume embellishments and decorations from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the Baltics worked on their development. The marionette spectacle not only pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of Azerbaijan but also introduces a fresh perspective on this classic tale.
As a bonus to the performance, the audience visiting “Les Salons” in Geneva will have an opportunity to see marionettes and decorations of the other play of the Theatre, “Leyli and Madjnoun”. The ancient legend of Leyli and Madjnoun, known for their reverence, endless love, and fidelity, roots in Arab folklore, but turned to be popular all over the Orient world. Baku Marionette Theater’s puppet adaptation of Leyli and Madjnoun is a unique attempt to revive this valuable classical work. The famous Qajar painting’s style is used in this opera production for the first time. The puppets and scenery are incorporated into a solo exhibition and are traveling to Geneva together with “Arshin mal alan” performance.
Theatre “Les Salons” rue Jean-F.Bartholoni
March 23 at 14.00 and 20.00
March 24 at 15.00, admission is by ticket.
