Peoples of Dagestan and Azerbaijan live amicably with each other

Yesterday a decree of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the allocation of funds for the reconstruction of the building of the Azerbaijan State Drama Theater in Derbent waa made known. 

This creative team has existed since the end of the XIX century. At first it functioned as an amateur activity, but in 1904 it became the Azerbaijani Drama Theatre. In 1934 it acquired state status. 

Works by Mirza Fatali Akhundzadeh, Abdurrahim Hagverdiyeva, Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Jafar Jabbarli, S. Vurgun and other prominent playwrights of Azerbaijan have been staged at the theatre. 

Now the theater has received 5 million manats from the reserve fund of the President of Azerbaijan, as provided for in the state budget for the current year.

Experts interviewed by Vestnik Kavkaza noted that the peoples of the two republics have close cultural ties.

Vice-president of the Moscow cultural center 'Dagestan', a member of the Public Chamber of Russia Magomed Abdulhabirov, said that Dagestanis have always considered Azerbaijanis to be their neighbors and brothers.  

"We are very interrelated. A lot of Azerbaijanians live in Dagestan, and many Dagestanis in Azerbaijan. It has been a priority policy of the Soviet and present leaders. And it is right that these steps have been taken,’’ he said, thanking President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Abdulhabirov also thanked First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, who is involved in charity work. 

"Dagestan has a respectful attitude towards the Aliyevs. Aziz Aliyev was the first secretary before Daniyalov. He is the father of Heydar Aliyev’s wife. There are a lot of signs on Lenin Square. We have a lot of things in common, that is why it is important to take such steps. 

We used to say in the Caucasus that a good neighbor is better than a distant relative. So I thank the Azerbaijanis and their respected leader," the member of the Public Chamber of Russia said.