The Bolshoi Theatre has marked its 240th anniversary. Representatives of many nations have performed on its stage during its long history. The contribution of prominent Caucasian artists to the flourishing and glory of the Bolshoi Theatre is difficult to overestimate, the special representative of the Russian President for International Cultural Cooperation, Mikhail Shvydkoi, said in an interview to a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza.
"As you know, great Azerbaijani artists as well as artists from other Caucasian countries, particularly Georgia's Zurab Sotkilava, sing now at the Bolshoi Theatre," he said.
"As for Azerbaijan, I cannot help noting Elchin Azizov. Enough to say that the ballet 'Seven Beauties' and other works by Gara Garayev have been performed many times on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. A huge number of conductors and musicians from different countries of the Caucasus have performed at the Bolshoi Theater, including Azerbaijanis who worked at the Bolshoi Theatre. That is why the contribution of Azerbaijani representatives in this historic marathon cannot be overestimated,'' the special representative of the President noted.
"Unfortunately, now this process is less intense than before, but nevertheless, I say it again that a large number of natives of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and their work have influenced the formation of the general style of the Bolshoi Theatre. The Bolshoi Theatre has always represented a unity of all national cultures. It is a very special and unique phenomenon in the history of our country's contribution of all peoples in its huge Soviet history,'' Mikhail Shvydkoi concluded.
