Name of the monument:

The building of the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theater

Address of the monument:

AZ1009, Baku city, Yasamal district, Fuzuli Street-1

Significance of the monument:

An architectural monument of national importance

Inventory:

175 (registered by the Decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 132 dated 02.08.2001)

Cartographic presentation:

X-coordinate: 40.375219

Y-coordinate: 49.831027

Date of construction of the monument:

Century: The middle of the XX century

Year of construction: 1950

Use of the monument:

Used for its original purpose

Historical information about the monument: Under the leadership of prominent enlighteners Hasan bey Zardabi and Asgar aga Adigozalov (Gorani), the foundation of a professional national theater was laid in our country on March 10, 1873 with the performance of Mirza Fatali Akhundzadeh's comedy "Lankaran khan's vizier" at the "Najib Club". The theater, which previously performed in various troupes like "Nijat", "Safa", "Hamiyat", in theatrical groups under cultural and educational societies, as well as in the "Union of Muslim Drama Artists", "Administration of the Hajibeyov Brothers", has the status of a state theater since 1919 and operates up to date.

In different years, the theater was named as the “Government Theater”, “The United State Theater”, “The Azerbaijan Turkish Drama Theater” and etc. In 1959, the theater was awarded the status of "academic" for its high achievements. The art center has been called "Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theater" since 1991.

In 1940-1950, there was a great need to build a new building for the Azerbaijan State Drama Theater. The authors of the project - talented architects G.Alizadeh and M.Madatov used elements of national and classical Western architecture in their works. One-storey buildings are being demolished in the area intended for a new building for the theater (now 1 Fuzuli Street, Yasamal district). The building, the foundation of which was laid on August 27, 1954, was built and put into operation in 6 years.

In the 1960s, the idea of erecting a statue of the famous poet Mahammad Fuzuli was put forward in Baku. On the eve of the poet's 400th anniversary, the government is announcing a competition to design a monumental statue. The project of sculptors Tokay Mammadov and Omar Eldarov is awarded the first prize. It is considered expedient to place the monument in front of the Azerbaijan State Academic Drama Theater. In 1962, a monument to the poet (architect Haji Mukhtarov) was erected in this place.

In 2008, restoration and reconstruction work began on the building of the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theater. The facade is further enriched with glass showcases. The busts of six famous Azerbaijani writers have been restored and placed on the facade of the building where they were existed. Also, a special passage for the transportation of decorations, a two-storey additional building and ancillary rooms were built, and carpentry and sewing shops were relocated here. Modern lighting systems are being installed in the auditorium; all communication systems are being updated. The restoration work was completed in 2011 and the building was inaugurated on March 10 of that year.