BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 27. President Ilham
Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to the staff of the Azerbaijan
State Musical Drama Theater in Derbent on the occasion of its
reopening after reconstruction, Trend reports.


"Dear friends,


I congratulate you on this significant occasion – the reopening
of the Azerbaijan State Musical Drama Theater in Derbent following
extensive reconstruction.


I express my gratitude to the leadership of the Russian
Federation and the Republic of Dagestan for the attention shown to
preserving this monument of the cultural and historical heritage of
the Azerbaijani people.


This cultural center, which boasts a history of more than a
century, is one of the oldest ensembles of Azerbaijani national
theatrical art.


The Azerbaijan State Musical Drama Theater in Derbent – the only
state theatrical institution in the Azerbaijani language within the
Russian Federation – has always played an important role in the
cultural life of Dagestan and has contributed to the preservation
of the national and spiritual values of Azerbaijanis living in the
Republic. The successful production of works by prominent
Azerbaijani playwrights has earned this cultural center broad
audience acclaim, not only in Dagestan but also far beyond its
borders..


Today, the resumption of the Azerbaijan Theater's operations in
Derbent is a major, long-awaited celebration for the professional
community and art enthusiasts, as well as for the entire population
of Dagestan with its rich cultural diversity.


The peoples of Azerbaijan and Dagestan have been linked since
time immemorial by close ties of friendship, good-neighborliness,
and mutual support. These traditional bonds play a special role in
the relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian
Federation.


The development of humanitarian cooperation, in turn, is an
important factor in Azerbaijani-Russian interstate relations. I am
convinced that close cooperation, including in the cultural and
humanitarian spheres, between Azerbaijan and Dagestan will continue
to develop progressively and expand within the framework of
Azerbaijani-Russian relations of allied interaction..


Once again, I congratulate the entire staff of the Azerbaijan
State Musical Drama Theater in Derbent on this momentous
occasion.


I wish the theater new creative success," the letter reads.