Due to the profound admiration and respect for the legendary Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli in Turkmenistan, the performance based on his operetta “Arshin mal alan” holds a distinguished place in the cultural life of the country, according to the Ashgabat Times.
The work is staged in multiple theatres across Ashgabat, with regular performances at the A.S. Pushkin Russian Drama Theatre since the 1980s. The monthly staging of Arshin Mal Alan at the Russian Drama Theatre attracts great enthusiasm and interest from both local and international audiences, receiving high praise from theatre lovers. Uzeyir Hajibeyli was born on September 18, 1885, in the city of Shusha, considered the cradle of music and culture in Azerbaijan. Uzeyir Hajibeyli is a person of pride not only in Azerbaijan but also in the Muslim East and the entire Turkic world.
As a creator of the composer school, Uzeyir Hajibeyli, an innovative artist, enriched the national musical heritage with distinctive forms and genres. He created rare pearls of art that hold an honourable place in the golden fund of world music in the deep unity of the musical achievements of the East and the West, and he brought wide fame to Azerbaijani culture on an international scale.
In addition to his musical achievements, Uzeyir Hajibeyli, with his exceptional artistic genius, made significant contributions to Azerbaijani dramaturgy and penned influential works in journalism, leaving a lasting mark on the country’s press. His full social and political activity, imbued with the ideology of Turkicism, is an example of true patriotism. Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s works are widely known and are met with great respect worldwide. In particular, the works of the great composer ‘Leyli and Majnun’, ‘Koroglu’, ‘Arshin Mal Alan’, and ‘O Olmasin, Bu Olsun’ are performed on international stages. These works are successfully staged not only in the Turkic world but also in various countries, including in theatres in Europe, America, and Asia. The music of the national anthem of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, and today’s independent Azerbaijan, was composed by Uzeyir Hajibeyli.
Uzeyir Hajibeyli founded the first music school for students in Baku—the Azerbaijan State Turkic Music School. Uzeyir Hajibeyli led several prominent institutions, including the Baku Music Technical School, the Institute of Arts at the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, and the Azerbaijan State Conservatory. He also headed the Union of Composers and founded the first folk instrument orchestra and the first multi-voice Azerbaijani choir at the conservatory.
Uzeyir Hajibeyli died on November 22, 1948, in Baku and was buried in the Alley of Honour. Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s legacy continues to this day and is preserved in various cultural centres, theaters, and music schools across Azerbaijan, with music festivals held in his honour. His house in Shusha has also been transformed into a museum dedicated to his life and work.
A feature film titled ‘Uzeyir’, dedicated to the life and work of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, along with several documentary films have been produced. UNESCO recognised the significance of Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s legacy by celebrating his 100th, 110th, and 120th anniversaries internationally. In September 2025, the 140th anniversary of the great composer’s birth will be celebrated. On this occasion, a series of events taking place both in Azerbaijan and other countries.
