losefina Blazsani-Batto

               PhD, Faculty of European Studies,

Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca;

Teachers’ Training Center of Sibiu, Romania

osebatto@yahoo.com

ORCID: 0000-0002-7975-3800

The volume Teatru/ Teatr/ Theater by Kamal Abdulla is not only a trilingual publication of Kamal Abdulla’s play Bir, iki, bizimki, but it also seeks to familiarize the Romanian audience with the particularities of Azerbaijani theatre production. It is the first attempt to contextualize Azerbaijani literature by connecting it to a condensed, marvelous playwright.

An-tan-te/ Bir, iki, bizimki/ One, Two – For Me and You! by Kamal Abdulla is a profound exploration of human relationships and the complexities of emotional connection. This trilingual edition (Romanian, English, Azerbaijani) showcases Abdulla’s masterful storytelling through a blend of poetic dialogue and rich cultural context. The play unfolds over five scenes, delving into the strained interactions between a Man and a Woman, while children’s rhymes echo their past innocence. With themes of nostalgia, betrayal, and reconciliation, the narrative captures the universal struggle for understanding and intimacy. The book also includes a detailed chapter on the evolution of Azerbaijani theater, offering insights into its historical and cultural significance. Recognized for its innovative approach and emotional depth, One, Two – For Me and You! stands as a significant contribution to contemporary theater, reflecting the artistic and intellectual prowess of Kamal Abdulla.

The parts of the volume give the context of the trilingual play production and shape a brief history of Azerbaijani theatre: The foreword provides an introduction to Kamal Abdulla’s contributions to literary criticism, particularly his work on the Kitabi Dede Gorgud. It emphasizes his role in merging myth with history and combining Western and Eastern wisdom, creating a new genre of intellectual prose in contemporary Azerbaijani literature. The preface discusses the significance of the trilingual edition (Romanian, English, Azerbaijani) and the collaborative translation efforts. It underscores the cultural exchange and the project’s aim to introduce Azerbaijani theater to Romanian readers and vice versa. The introduction highlights the role of the Romanian Language Lectureship in promoting cultural relations between Azerbaijan and Romania. It discusses the establishment of the Translation Workshop, which facilitated direct cultural exchanges and the translation of literary works between the two nations.

The chapter Teatrul în Azerbaidjan [Theater in Azerbaijan] provides a historical overview of Azerbaijani theater, tracing its origins from ritualistic performances in ancient times to its professional development in the 19th and 20th centuries. It discusses key figures and movements that have shaped Azerbaijani theater, including the impact of Soviet ideology and the post-Soviet revival of traditional and modern theatrical practices.

The body of the play in three languages, An-tan-te/ Bir, iki, bizimki/ One, Two For Me and You! by Kamal Abdulla, consists of five scenes that explore the emotional and psychological dynamics between a Man and a Woman, interspersed with children’s voices that evoke memories and past experiences. The themes of misunderstanding, connection, and the complexity of human relationships are central to the narrative.

Key Themes: Cultural heritage, Fiction vs. Reality, Dream, Nostalgia, Betrayal, Reconciliation

Author’s Background:

KAMAL ABDULLA (b. December 04, 1950, Baku, Azerbaijan), is an accomplished author, having written over 200 scientific articles and 20 textbooks and monographs. His works have been translated into numerous languages, including English, Russian, German, Turkish, and Romanian, among others. He has received various honors and awards, including the title of “Honored Worker of Science” for his contributions to the study of the Kitabi Dede Gorgud, the “Great Cross” Order from the President of Poland, and the “Gold Delvig” Prize in Russian literature. He was also awarded the honorary title of “People’s Writer” for his contributions to Azerbaijani culture.

Aiming to be a monograph of the play, the next chapters of the volume establish the context of production and releases, as well as the interview of the author on the “making of the play”. The chapter Istorii ale piesei – Interviu (Making of – Interview) includes interviews with the creative team behind the play, offering behind-the-scenes insights into the production process. It highlights the challenges and inspirations encountered by the director, actors, and other contributors.

The exhaustive biography of the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature nominee details his academic background, literary achievements, and contributions to Azerbaijani culture. It highlights his roles as a writer, researcher, and cultural promoter, while the bibliography compiles critical essays and reviews about Kamal Abdulla’s works, offering various perspectives on his contributions to literature and theater. This includes analyses by literary critics and scholars from different cultural backgrounds.

Another chapter covers the premiere of the play in facts and reviews, including details about the production team, cast, and audience reception. It highlights the critical acclaim received by the play and its significance in the context of contemporary Azerbaijani theater. The press releases provide insights into the public and critical reception of the play. They discuss the themes and the innovative aspects of the production, emphasizing its impact on the audience and its contribution to the Azerbaijani cultural landscape.

We can conclude that the play is a captivating blend of drama and cultural reflection that provides deep insights into the human condition. Through its five emotionally charged scenes, the play explores the complex dynamics of relationships, underscored by themes of nostalgia, betrayal, and the quest for reconciliation. The inclusion of children’s rhymes serves as a poignant reminder of lost innocence and the cyclical nature of human interactions. Kamal Abdulla’s work stands out not only for its literary and dramatic qualities but also for its role in bridging cultural exchanges between Azerbaijan and Romania. This trilingual edition (the Romanian translation is done for the first time without a support language) enhances the accessibility and appreciation of Azerbaijani theater on an international scale and shows the writer as a cultural ambassador, making a significant contribution to contemporary literature and theater. With its blend of emotional depth and cultural insight, Abdulla’s play is a significant contribution to contemporary theater, reflecting the universal struggles and triumphs of human connection.

The book’s comprehensive chapters, including the historical overview of Azerbaijani theater, enrich the reader’s understanding of the play’s cultural and artistic significance. The detailed press releases and interviews offer a behind-the- scenes look at the play’s production and its reception, highlighting the collaborative efforts and critical acclaim it has garnered, underscoring the play’s exploration of love, memory, and misunderstanding, rendered more profound by the cultural context of Azerbaijani theater.