President concerning Rasim Balayev signed an obituary

Culture

30 March 2026, 13:35

President Ilham Aliyev has signed an obituary regarding the death of People's Artist Rasim Balayev.

Modern.az reports that the obituary states:

A heavy loss has befallen the Azerbaijani cultural community. A prominent representative of national cinema art, Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan, individual pensioner of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, State Prize laureate, People's Artist Rasim Ahmad oglu Balayev passed away on March 29, 2026, in the 78th year of his life.

Rasim Balayev was born on August 8, 1948, in the city of Agsu. After graduating from secondary school, he studied at the acting faculty of the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts in 1965–1969, and worked as an actor at the Training Theater of the same institute in 1969–1972.

From 1972, Rasim Balayev was an actor at the “Azerbaijanfilm” film studio, and at the same time, from 1990, he held the position of First Secretary of the Board of the Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan, and in 2022, he was elected Chairman of the Union.

Known as a talented actor from his early days at the “Azerbaijanfilm” film studio, Rasim Balayev quickly found his way into the hearts of cinema enthusiasts thanks to his unique performing style and high stage culture. His memorable characters, brought to life on screen with great impact, were always met with favor by a wide audience.

As an artist who masterfully utilized the brilliant traditions of Azerbaijani cinema, Rasim Balayev's creative path constitutes a special stage in the history of national film culture. The films in which he played leading roles are included in the golden fund of Azerbaijani cinema. The artist's colorful portrayals, brought to life by deeply penetrating the moral world of the characters, are among the unforgettable pages of our cinematic chronicle. These unique characters, created with innate talent, have always stood out for their distinctiveness and remained in the spotlight.

The master artist succeeded in creating a panorama of the era while bringing to life on screen the characters of our heroic historical past as well as our contemporaries. All these roles played by Rasim Balayev are of great importance in promoting the national and spiritual values of our people and in educating the rising young generation in the spirit of loyalty to the homeland. The legendary characters of Babek and Nasimi, performed by the artist, are considered particularly great achievements of Azerbaijani cinematography.

Rasim Balayev also demonstrated his artistic skill once again by creating memorable characters in films screened beyond the borders of Azerbaijan.

Approaching the processes occurring in public life with a deep sense of civic duty, Rasim Balayev was also known as a public figure. He spared no effort or ability to preserve and perpetuate our national and spiritual values.

Rasim Balayev's services in the development of national cinema culture have been duly appreciated. In various years, he was awarded high state prizes and honorary titles, and was decorated with the “Shohrat” (Glory), “Sharaf” (Honor), and “Istiglal” (Independence) Orders, which are among the highest awards of independent Azerbaijan.