Ulduz Rafili-Aliyeva | |
---|---|
Born | Ulduz Saleh gizi Rafili 15 December 1922
Ganja, Azerbaijan |
Died | 2006 (aged 83–84) Baku, Azerbaijan |
Occupation | theatre director |
Known for | The first Azerbaijani woman-theatre director |
Ulduz Saleh gizi Rafili-Aliyeva ( Azerbaijani: Ulduz Saleh qızı Rəfili; 15 December 1922, Ganja, Goranboy region – 2006, Baku) was an Azerbaijani and Soviet theater director, professor, Honored Art Worker of the Azerbaijan SSR (1964). [1] She was the first Azerbaijani women to become a professional theater director. [2]
Ulduz Rafili was born on 15 December 1922 in Ganja. [3] Her father died before she was born and her mother married for the second time. [4] When her mother died in 1935 Rafili started living with her older sister in Moscow. [1]
In 1938, she graduated from Industrial College in Moscow. [4] Later she continued studies in Moscow. [5] Rafili entered the Institute of Railway Engineers where she studied and worked as a station attendant in the Moscow metro and as a machinist on an electric train. [2]
Rafili returned to Baku in 1945. There she entered the faculty of directing of the present University of Culture and Arts, graduating in 1951. [2]
In 1952, Rafili started working as a director in the Young Spectator's Theatre in Baku. [6] During next 20 years she directed over 50 performances on the stage of the theater. [3] Rafili became the first female theater director in Azerbaijan. [6] Many performances staged by Rafili have won All-Union festivals and been awarded diplomas and prizes. [2]
In 1963-1967, Rafili was elected a deputy, engaged in active socio-political activities. [2]
In 1972-1975 Rafili worked as the chief director of the Young Spectator's Theater. [3] In September 1975, Rafili started her pedagogical career at the Department of Opera Training of the Baku Music Academy. [1] During her work at the Music Academy, she directed S. Rakhmaninoff's " Aleko", P. Tchaikovsky's " Iolanta", F. Amirov's " Sevil", Mozart's " The Marriage of Figaro" and others. [1]
Ulduz Rafili died in 2006 in Baku. [4]
Rafili was married to Gurban Aliyev who worked in the Ministry of Education of the Azerbaijan SSR. They had one son, Hasan Aliyev. [2]
In 1964, Rafili was awarded a title of Honored Art Worker of the Azerbaijan SSR. [7]
In 2012, a memorial evening dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Rafili was held at the Young Spectator's Theatre in Baku. [6]