Baku: bp has joined the celebrations of the 90th anniversary of the late prominent Azerbaijani writer, dramatist, and public figure, People's Writer Magsud Ibrahimbayov, by sponsoring the cultural festival 'The Oil Boom Smiles on Everyone', being held in his commemoration from November 2025 through February 2026. The festival has been organized by the Magsud Ibrahimbayov Creative Center with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Magsud Ibrahimbayov, whose works have been translated into 36 languages and have inspired more than 30 films, is recognized as a significant figure in Azerbaijani and global literature, theatre, and cinema. His writings, many of which explore the social and human dimensions of the oil boom, continue to shape cultural and societal perspectives across generations, making the festival's theme particularly resonant.
The festival programme features a broad range of cultural, educational, and artistic events commemorating the writer's multifaceted legacy. These include staged readings of Magsud Ibrahimbayov's plays, alongside other authors' works, and the presentation of a new edition of the play 'The Oil Boom Smiles on Everyone' in Azerbaijani, English, and Russian. Additionally, a public lecture on the history of Baku's oil era will be delivered by researcher Fuad Akhundov.
Further festival highlights include an open rehearsal of the premiere production, offering audiences insight into the creative process behind a stage performance, and a creative workshop featuring three directorial sketches based on Magsud Ibrahimbayov's works, concluding with an open audience vote to select the strongest directorial concept. The contemporary art exhibition 'Geyser', running from 17 January to 28 February at Baku Museum of Modern Art, will feature works by modern Azerbaijani artists and bring together painting, sculpture, video, and sound installations exploring the theme of the oil boom from various artistic perspectives. The stage premiere of the writer's iconic play 'The Oil Boom Smiles on Everyone' will be presented in a contemporary interpretation at the Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators.
Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, bp's vice president for the Caspian region, expressed the company's pride in supporting the festival, stating: "We are proud to support this festival commemorating the remarkable legacy of Magsud Ibrahimbayov, a writer whose works have shaped the cultural narrative of the country's oil era for decades. This project reflects bp's long-term commitment to supporting the preservation and promotion of Azerbaijan's historical and cultural heritage. We are delighted that these events have brought together artists, researchers, students, and members of the wider public to mark an important milestone in the nation's cultural life."
The festival events are expected to gather more than 700 participants from academic and cultural communities, representing multiple generations and professional backgrounds. bp's contribution to the project amounted to 55,600 AZN ($32,706).