Judeo-Tat Theatre

The Judeo-Tat Theatre in Derbent, Dagestan, Russia, specializes in staging plays centered on the lives of Mountain Jews, primarily created by members of the community. The performances are conducted in the Judeo-Tat language (Juhuri).

Judeo-Tat Theatre

Горско-еврейский театр
Acting troupe in the play Ashig Garib. Derbent, USSR. 1984. First row – from left to right: Katya, Bikel Matatova. Second row – from left to right: musician Israel Izrailov, Roman Izyaev, Avshalum Nakhshunov, Raziil Ilyaguev, Abram Avdalimov. Third row – from left to right: Ilizir Abramov, Anatoly Yusupov, Israel Tsvaygenbaum.
Address	Derbent Russia
Opened	1903

The founding of the theatre

Traditionally, the Judeo-Tat Theatre created and performed works in Derbent, where most of the Mountain Jews lived. The first theatrical event by Mountain Jews took place in December 1903^[1] when Asaf Agarunov, a teacher and Zionist, staged a play based on a story by Naum Shoykovich, translated from Hebrew, titled "The Burn for Burn". The performance was held in honor of schoolteacher Nagdimuna ben Simona (Shimunov)’s wedding.^[1]

In 1918, a drama studio was established in Derbent under the leadership of Rabbi Yashayo Rabinovich.^[1] Since 1924, the Mountain Jewish group became known as the Cultural and Educational Circle of Mountain Jewish Youth, commonly referred to as the "GEM Circle" (Russian: Кружок ГЕМ). It was led by Yuno Semyonov (1899–1961) and Manashir Shalumov.^[2]

In 1924, Yuno Semyonov staged two plays in the Derbent Mountain Jewish circle: "Two Leather Sellers" and A "Cunning Matchmaker."^[2]

In 1935, the first Soviet theater in Derbent was established, comprising three troupes—Russian, Judeo-Tat, and Azerbaijani. It originated from drama circles led by Manashir and Khanum Shalumov. Initially, men played female roles, but over time, women began to participate in the theater.^[2]

This marked the beginning of a prosperous period, with numerous performances being staged. In 1939, the Judeo-Tat Theatre won the Festival of Theatres in Dagestan. The music for its productions was composed by the theater’s composer and musical director, Djumshud Ashurov (1913–1980), an "Honored Artist of Dagestan."

At the beginning of 1941, the theater was rehearsing "The Rift" by Boris Lavrenyov and "Aydin" by Jafar Jabbarly.^[2]

The drama group in Gyrmyzy Gasaba in Azerbaijan

From 1920 to 1932, the Judeo-Tat drama group was active in the Mountain Jews settlement of Gyrmyzy Gasaba in Azerbaijan.^[2]

The drama group in Khasavyurt in Dagestan

In the early 1930s, Alexandra Nikolaevna Shubaeva, mother of the writer Amaldan Kukullu, founded a Judeo-Tat drama group in the city of Khasavyurt.^[3] It is unknown how long the group lasted.

Theatre during World War II

Actor Ilizir (Ilyusha) Abramov. Judeo-Tat theatre. Derbent, USSR. 1980.

During World War II, most of the theater's actors were drafted into the army, and many lost their lives in the war.^[4] In 1943, the theater resumed its work, but it was closed in 1948, officially due to unprofitability.^[4]

Post-war period

Actors of the Judeo-Tat's theatre "Rambam": Roman Izyaev & Rambam Mishiev. Israel. 2011.

On April 28, 1959, the board of the Stalin collective farm appealed to the city's party committee, requesting the creation of a Mountain Jewish People's Theatre as an amateur arts circle.

Pyotr Rafailovich Agarunov (1930–2006), an Excellent Worker of the USSR State Television and Radio Broadcasting, was invited from Baku to help organize the theater's development. Musaib Dzhum-Dzhum (1905–1974), of Azerbaijani descent, was appointed as the theater director and was honored with the title People's Artist of the Dagestan ASSR. He was highly knowledgeable about the language and culture of the Mountain Jews. The composer Djumshud Ashurov was named music director, while Mikhail Gavrilov (1926–2014), an Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Dagestan, served as the administrator.^[4]

In the 1960s, the theater resumed its activities and experienced a second heyday. The beloved actress Akhso Shalumova (1907–1985), an Honored Artist of the Dagestan ASSR, returned to the stage.^[4] She played the role of Shahnugor, the wife of Shimi Derbendi (Judeo-Tat: «Шими Дербенди»), based on the stories of writer Hizgil Avshalumov.^[4]

In the 1970s, the People's Judeo-Tat Theatre was officially established. For many years, it was led by Abram Avdalimov (1929–2004), an Honored Cultural Worker of the Dagestan ASSR, as well as a singer, actor, and playwright. His successor was Roman Izyaev (1940–2018), who was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honour for his distinguished service.^[4]

In the 1990s, the Judeo-Tat Theatre faced another crisis, with performances becoming rare and no new premieres being staged. It was only in 2000, after becoming a municipal theater, that it was able to resume its activities.

From 2000 to 2002, the theater was led by actor and musician Raziil Semenovich Ilyaguev (1945–2016), an Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Dagestan. For the next two years, Alesya Natanovna Isakova served as the theater’s director.

In 2004, Lev Manakhimov (1950–2021), an Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan, became the artistic director. In 2021, after his death, the Derbent Theater was renamed the Municipal Judeo-Tat Theater named after Lev Yakovlevich Manakhimov. Boris Yudaev took over as the theater's head.

Throughout the theater’s long history, many talented actors have graced its stage, including Bikel Matatova (1928–2013), an Honored Worker of Culture of the Dagestan ASSR; Avshalum Yakubovich Nakhshunov (Shori-Artist) (1925–1997), a People's Artist of the Dagestan ASSR; Mozol Izrailova, an Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Dagestan; as well as Anatoly Yusupov, Raya Novakhova, Israel Tsvaygenbaum, Eva Shalver-Abramova, and many others.

The founding of a theatre in Israel

In 2001, artistic director, actor, screenwriter, and set designer Roman Izyaev founded the Mountain Jews' theater Rambam in the Israeli city of Hadera.^[5][6] The troupe has toured not only in cities with Mountain Jewish communities in Israel but also in Canada, the United States, Azerbaijan, and Moscow, Russia.

After the death of Roman Izyaev in 2018, Eva Shalver-Abramova became the chief director of the Rambam theater.

In 2019, the Hadera Municipality withdrew its financial support for the Judeo-Tat Theater. Thanks to the determination and donations of the actors themselves, the theater was able to continue operating and staging performances until 2022. After that, it ceased to exist in Israel.