BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 29. On October 29,
the Maly Drama Theatre – Theatre of Europe from St. Petersburg,
Russia, presented its interpretation of Anton Chekhov’s play The
Seagull at the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre as part of
the Baku International Arts Festival (BIAF 2026).
First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva attended the
performance alongside her daughter Leyla Aliyeva and Alena
Aliyeva.
Directed by Lev Dodin, a recipient of major Russian theatre
awards, including the Golden Mask, the production is regarded as
one of the most acclaimed interpretations of the classic play.
The set and costume designer is Alexander Borovsky.
The cast includes Sergey Kuryshev, People’s Artist of Russia,
and Honored Artists Elizaveta Boyarskaya and Igor Chernevich, among
others.
This is the second edition of the Baku International Arts
Festival. Running until November 8, the festival is organized with
the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan’s
Ministry of Culture. BIAF 2026 features more than 20 events,
including concerts, ballet and theatre performances, film
screenings, meet-and-greet sessions with artists, and
masterclasses.
The festival brings together artists and creative ensembles from
Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Russia, the United
States, France and other countries.
