A Luminary of Kazakh Theatre – Azirbayzhan Mambetov
One of the most prominent figures in Kazakhstan’s spiritual and cultural life was director, artist, teacher, and master of the stage — Azirbayzhan Mambetov. He brought the theatrical stage to life, instilling soul into every character and imbuing each production with profound philosophical meaning.
Azirbayzhan Mambetov was born on September 1, 1932, in the village of Savenko, Volgograd Oblast, in the Russian Federation. His passion for art emerged early in life. In 1952, he graduated from the acting faculty of the Almaty Art College. That same year, he entered the directing faculty of the A.V. Lunacharsky State Institute for Theatre Arts (GITIS) in Moscow, completing his studies in 1957. At GITIS, he studied under representatives of the Stanislavsky school, including People’s Artist of the USSR N.M. Gorchakov and Professor A.A. Goncharov.
From 1957, for over three decades, he worked at the Mukhtar Auezov Kazakh Academic Drama Theatre — initially as stage director, later becoming director and chief artistic director. Over the years, Mambetov staged more than 150 productions. In 1965, he was awarded the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan for his stage adaptation of Chinghiz Aitmatov’s “Mother Earth.”
In 1974, on the recommendation of Abish Kekilbayev, he brought Abdimomyn Nurpeisov’s trilogy “Blood and Sweat” to the stage, earning the USSR State Prize. The production was also performed at the National Theatre in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
His adaptation of Chinghiz Aitmatov’s “The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years” was performed at the Yevgeny Vakhtangov Academic Theatre in Moscow, featuring People’s Artist of the USSR Mikhail Ulyanov. He also staged Mukhtar Auezov’s “Abai” at the Uzbek Academic Theatre, as well as at the Uighur and Korean National Theatres.
Mambetov boldly turned to the works of world classical literature and masterfully staged:
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Carlo Goldoni – “Servant of Two Masters”
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Lope de Vega – “The Dog in the Manger”
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Max Frisch – “Don Juan Comes Back from the War”
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William Shakespeare – “Coriolanus”
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Sophocles – “Oedipus Rex”
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Anton Chekhov – “Uncle Vanya”
These productions marked the heights of modern Kazakh directorial excellence.
In 1973, Mambetov participated in the International Theatre Festival of Asia, Africa, and Latin America in Shiraz, Iran, with “Mother Earth,” receiving enthusiastic acclaim from international audiences. In 1984, at the “National Theatre” International Festival in Nancy, France, he presented Gabit Musrepov’s “Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu,” showcasing the beauty of Kazakh dramatic literature.
Beyond the stage, Mambetov made his mark in cinema. He directed films such as “On the Wings of Song,” “Blood and Sweat,” and “The Messenger,” and produced a television adaptation of “Abai,” significantly contributing to Kazakh cinema.
He also served as a professor at the T. Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts and the Kazakh National University of Arts, mentoring generations of artists and theatre professionals.
State and Public Honors:
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1976 — Awarded the title “People’s Artist of the USSR”
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1999 — Appointed Artistic Director of the K. Kuanyshbayev Kazakh Music and Drama Theatre in Astana, at the invitation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev
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2000 — Staged M. Tulebayev’s opera “Birzhan and Sara,” a landmark event in Kazakh opera history
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2000 — Received the highest national honor, “People’s Hero of Kazakhstan,” for his exceptional service to national art
Key Productions Staged (1999–2008):
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G. Musrepov – “Kyz Zhibek,” “Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu”
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M. Auezov – “Karagoz”
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F. Hervé – “Mademoiselle Fox”
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V. Delmar – “Fleeting Happiness”
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K. Baiseyitov, K. Shangytbayev – “Oh, Girls!”
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Sh. Aitmatov – “Mother Earth,” “The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years”
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I. Zhansugurov, S. Nazarbekuly, B. Aldibek – “Makhambet”
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U. Hajibeyov – “Arshin Mal Alan”
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A. Chekhov – “Uncle Vanya”
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A. Nurpeisov – “Blood and Sweat”
Among those who worked alongside him at the K. Kuanyshbayev Theatre were prominent figures such as People’s Artists of Kazakhstan Gulzhan Aspetova, Tilektes Meiramov, Honored Artists Leilo Beknazar-Khaninga, Akish Omar, and other renowned stage performers who today represent the golden heritage of Kazakh theatre.
