ADO Theater demands freedom for street performances

On March 14, Elmin Badalov, the Director of the ADO Theater (Azerbaijan Disorganized Room Theater), sent letters to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Executive Power of Baku, the President of Azerbaijan, the EU mission and the embassies demanding to give a clear answer to the theater's desire to hold a festival of street performances in the capital, Baranov told in an interview with Turan agency.

- What is the essence of your dispute with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism?

- When we were in France, we watched street theatrical performances and decided that the theater ADO will show its performances on the streets of Baku, bring the audience to the art, and then hold a festival of street theater. The two performances that were proposed for the show were reviewed by a representative of the ministry. The play "Hamam" was not allowed by the employee of the Ministry Naida Ismailzade under the pretext that the water poured onto the actress will make visible her underwear. "This is not for Baku," she said. The second play "The Voice of a Woman" is allowed, but it was said orally. We wished an official response, because we wrote to the ministry in writing. The ministry promised to authorize in writing only the play "The Voice of a Woman". But when I took the letter, it said that the ministry had no right to issue such permits to the theater. They offered to apply to Baku Executive Power, but they answered that the permit should be given by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Two state departments throw responsibility from one to another. This correspondence lasts four months.

Then we sent out appeals to the Ministry, Baku Executive Power, the president of the country, to the Baku office of the European Union, demanding to allow the festival. We want to meet with Minister Abulfaz Garayev, because his subordinates are talking to us rudely, or do not give clear answers.

- If the ministry does not have the right to give permission for the festival, then what's the problem? Show performances in the streets.

- The European Union and the French embassy together appealed to the Ministry and the Baku Executive Power, interceding for the festival. We are waiting for the last answer and if it does not come, we will start to show the performances where we deem it necessary. According to the law, it is not necessary to take permission to show performances in the city, it is only necessary to put authority in the notice.

- Tell us about your creative plans.

- Recently we have returned from the art festival in Venice, in April or May will be our tour in Tbilisi, where we have already performed, and cooperate with Georgian theaters. Have received an invitation to speak in the US. We will show our art in the cities of Azerbaijan and abroad.

- How do you estimate theatrical life in the country?

- There is no theater atmosphere in Azerbaijan. The theaters are old, with the Soviet past and heritage. Once sitting in the gallery of the Academic Drama Theater hall, I photographed the audience and most viewers watched their phones. Then I learned that tickets to this theater are distributed by the theater managers compulsorily among civil servants. This practice cannot develop the theater. Let less spectators come, but true ones. People are attracted to our theater to see on the stage and discuss the problems that worry them.

All this comes is because of the absence of freedom of theatrical art in Azerbaijan, we are suffocated, not developed. The development of the theater is impossible without contemporary art, but modernity is not encouraged by the state. Some directors and actors do not consider us their colleagues, although our theater participated in several foreign festivals.

The non-state Azerbaijani theater ADO was created five years ago. Actors call themselves the first independent theater. Every weekly we perform in the building of the theater in Baku, on the street. Mirzaga Aliyev, 245. There are about 30 performances in the repertoire, five or six new ones are launched every year. There are about 10 actors in the troupe. The theater lives only by selling tickets. Badalov said that the theater hall, which accommodates 50-60 spectators, is not empty. They have their own audience, preferring an independent theater. "We do not get state support, they only hinder us," added the director.

The website of the theater www.ado.az shows photos of the minister A.Garayev and the Baku Chief Executive H.Abutalybov. Through the photo there passes the inscription: Censorship of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Baku Executive Power against the theater ADO!

Attempts to get a telephone comment in the ministry were futile, as the phone responsible for public relations Vugar Shikhmamedov did not response.