First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva attends the inauguration of a new building of the Mashtagha Culture Centre

On December 6, First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva attended the inauguration of a new building of the Mashtagha Culture Centre named after People’s Artist Hajiagha Abbasov.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev informed the First Vice-president that the old building, having been in operation for long years, had not met contemporary requirements. There were no conditions for the staff’s work and preparing programmes. Therefore, a decision was taken to construct a new building for the Mashtagha Culture Centre. Constructed in a short span of time, with high quality, the building accommodates a hall for 250 spectators, and a state-of-the-art scene.

At the moment, a cinema hall, sculpture, applied arts, painting, housekeeping, dance study groups, computer and literature rooms are functioning in the Mashtagha Culture Centre, with total area of 800 square metres. It is expected that weeks of “Azerbaijani films” will be held here.

Previously called Mashtagha Culture House, this Centre’s foundation was laid in 1921. At the time, shows by eminent persons of theatre were welcomed with interest in Mashtagha, as in all other villages and settlements of Baku, and shows prepared by the drama circle created there experienced a big influx of people. Soon, tidings of these shows started to be heard, along with Mashtagha, from other villages of Baku, such as Bilgah, Nardaran, Buzovna and Mardakan, and, whereby, wide cultural enlightening works started among the population.

Starting from the 50s of the last century, activities of this culture house have been widened further, and a folk music instruments ensemble, as well as a Poetry Theatre were created here. In the 1980s, the Mashtagha Culture House became one of the main spaces where poetry lovers got together. Performances of musicians in various studios created here gained much popularity among the people. At the time, “Leyli and Majnun” was staged here to mark Uzeir Hajibeyli’s 100 year anniversary. A Puppet Theatre has also been operating here since 1987.

Becoming acquainted with the conditions created in the Culture Centre, Azerbaijan’s First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva gave instructions on arranging various interesting programmes here on a regular basis.