Khanlar Bashirov, Artistic Founding Director
Celebrating 40 Years of Dance in 2014
Khanlar Bashirov is a famous dancer and dance master, an honored artist of Azerbaijan, and artistic director of the acclaimed ethnographic ensemble called Eagles of Azerbaijan. He is considered to be the foremost master of the Azerbaijani dance practice.
Khanlar was born on March 22, 1957 in the city of Khanlar. Khanlar completed his educational studies in Baku and Moscow. He started dance at a very young age, and one of his first inspirations was his uncle, Rafiq Azizov, who was a famous professional dancer and actor.
Khanlar began working professionally as a dancer in 1974, and continued his studies at the dance department of the Baku Choreography School where he graduated in 1975. Throughout 1974 to 1977, he performed with the Azerbaijan State Song & Dance Ensemble throughout the former Soviet Union, Finland, Belgium, Austria, and various other countries to represent national and spiritual values of Azerbaijan through the art of dance. During the years of 1977 to 1979, he served in the military and performed as a soloist dancer in the Soviet Army Song & Dance Ensemble.
After completing military service in April 1979, he performed as solo dancer at the State song theater of Reshid Behbudov until 1986. Between 1982 to 1987 he was part of the Mirzaagha Art Institute of higher education, and from 1986 to 1996 Khanlar performed as a soloist with the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble.
In 1996, Khanlar retired as a solo dance artist. From 1998 and 2002, he served as artistic director of the Department of Culture in Baku working with the Jangi Dance Ensemble. And, from 1997 to 2012, he has worked as a dance professor at the Khazar University.
Khanlar has earned a honorable reputation, earning various awards throughout his career. He has performed on the road throughout 50 foreign countries, and propagates national and moral values through the art of dance. In 1991, he was awarded the title of Honored Artist in Azerbaijan, and in 2007, was awarded the Golden Buta, which is one of the highest national awards in Azerbaijan.
Khanlar founded the Azerbaijan Ehtnographic Ensemble called “Eagles of Azerbaijan” in November 2007 that auditions boys ages 6-16 who embark in a very serious and professional training program. Currently, the ensemble is one of the strongest in the region showcasing classic archival choreography of the late master Ali Baba Abdulayev, the father of Azerbaijani Dance.
OVERVIEW:
EDUCATION
1973-1975 School of Choreography
1982-1987 Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Art
WORK HISTORY
1974-1977 Dancer @ State Music & Dance Ensemble
1977-1979 Solo Dancer @ Military Music and Dance Ensemble
1979-1986 Solo Dancer @ Music Theatre
1986-1996 Solo Dancer @ Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble
1992-2002 Solo Dancer / Choreographer / Art Director @ Djangi Dance Ensemble
1997-2012 Professor @ Khazar University
2007-2008 Balet Master / Director of Dance @ State Ensemble of Music & Dance
2007-today Founding Director @ “Eagles of Azerbaijan” Ensemble
LANGUAGES
Azerbaijani
Russian
Turkish
Khanlar was born on March 22, 1957 in the city of Khanlar. Khanlar completed his educational studies in Baku and Moscow. He started dance at a very young age, and one of his first inspirations was his uncle, Rafiq Azizov, who was a famous professional dancer and actor.
Khanlar began working professionally as a dancer in 1974, and continued his studies at the dance department of the Baku Choreography School where he graduated in 1975. Throughout 1974 to 1977, he performed with the Azerbaijan State Song & Dance Ensemble throughout the former Soviet Union, Finland, Belgium, Austria, and various other countries to represent national and spiritual values of Azerbaijan through the art of dance. During the years of 1977 to 1979, he served in the military and performed as a soloist dancer in the Soviet Army Song & Dance Ensemble.
After completing military service in April 1979, he performed as solo dancer at the State song theater of Reshid Behbudov until 1986. Between 1982 to 1987 he was part of the Mirzaagha Art Institute of higher education, and from 1986 to 1996 Khanlar performed as a soloist with the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble.
In 1996, Khanlar retired as a solo dance artist. From 1998 and 2002, he served as artistic director of the Department of Culture in Baku working with the Jangi Dance Ensemble. And, from 1997 to 2012, he has worked as a dance professor at the Khazar University.
Khanlar has earned a honorable reputation, earning various awards throughout his career. He has performed on the road throughout 50 foreign countries, and propagates national and moral values through the art of dance. In 1991, he was awarded the title of Honored Artist in Azerbaijan, and in 2007, was awarded the Golden Buta, which is one of the highest national awards in Azerbaijan.
Khanlar founded the Azerbaijan Ehtnographic Ensemble called “Eagles of Azerbaijan” in November 2007 that auditions boys ages 6-16 who embark in a very serious and professional training program. Currently, the ensemble is one of the strongest in the region showcasing classic archival choreography of the late master Ali Baba Abdulayev, the father of Azerbaijani Dance.
OVERVIEW:
EDUCATION
1973-1975 School of Choreography
1982-1987 Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Art
WORK HISTORY
1974-1977 Dancer @ State Music & Dance Ensemble
1977-1979 Solo Dancer @ Military Music and Dance Ensemble
1979-1986 Solo Dancer @ Music Theatre
1986-1996 Solo Dancer @ Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble
1992-2002 Solo Dancer / Choreographer / Art Director @ Djangi Dance Ensemble
1997-2012 Professor @ Khazar University
2007-2008 Balet Master / Director of Dance @ State Ensemble of Music & Dance
2007-today Founding Director @ “Eagles of Azerbaijan” Ensemble
LANGUAGES
Azerbaijani
Russian
Turkish