Emil Salimov Theater director, playwright, stage designer and teacher Date of Birth: 20.06.1956 Country: Azerbaijan

1. Early Life and Education
2. Theatrical Beginnings
3. The Independent Theatre
4. International Recognition
5. Method and School
6. Multi-faceted Artist
7. Awards and Honors
8. 1985: Samuel Beckett Institute Award (Poland) for "Waiting for Godot"

Early Life and Education

Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, Émil Salimov spent his early years in Ukraine. In 1978, he enrolled in the Moscow State Institute of Culture, where he studied directing under prominent teachers Enver Beybutov and Edgar Egaadze. While studying, he began staging pantomimes and dramatic compositions in various venues across Moscow.

Theatrical Beginnings

In 1981, Salimov co-founded the theater studio "Na Usachevke" with his mentor Edgar Egaadze. Two years later, he established his own theater studio, "Skazka," focusing on children's performances.

In 1985-1986, Salimov completed an internship at the Moscow State Academic Theater of Satire, a pupil of Vsevolod Meyerhold and the theater's artistic director. In 1986, he directed "The Cylinder" by Eduardo de Filippo at the Kutaisi State Drama Theater in Georgia.

The Independent Theatre

In 1987, Salimov founded the independent theater "Staraya Shlyapa" in Moscow, featuring a troupe of professional actors and musicians. He staged innovative productions such as Eugene Ionesco's "The Bald Soprano" and Peter Weiss's "Marat/Sade." In 1987, he acquired French citizenship and relocated to France two years later.

International Recognition

In 1994, Salimov established the theater company "Parenthèse" (Parentheses) in Paris. He became a member of the French Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers (SACD) in 2000 and an honorary member in 2018.

Method and School

In 2000 and 2001, Salimov directed Franz Kafka's "The Trial" and "Amerika" at the Théâtre du Lucernaire. In 2009 and 2011, he was invited to the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art to present his method "Corps en Action" (Body in Action), based on Meyerhold's biomechanics. In 2013, he founded his own drama school, "Méthode Salimov. Corps en Action."

Multi-faceted Artist

For nearly 40 years, Émil Salimov has been a prolific producer, director, choreographer, set and costume designer, and teacher in acting, dramaturgy, and the history of French and international theater. In 2010, his biography was published in the encyclopedia "Russian Diaspora in France."

Awards and Honors

1983: Diploma from the Russian Academy of Pedagogical Sciences for "Pippi Longstocking"

1984: Diploma from the Moscow Directorate of Culture for "Treasure Island"

1985: Samuel Beckett Institute Award (Poland) for "Waiting for Godot"

1986: Diplomas from the City of Kutaisi and the Georgian Ministry of Culture for "The Cylinder"

1994: French Ministry of Culture Award and grant for "The Miracle Worker Was Tall"

2000: French Ministry of Culture Award for Best Theater Project and grant for "The Trial"

2002: French Ministry of Culture Award for Best Theater Project and grant for "The Decameron"

2004: French Ministry of Culture Award and grant for "Always Aim for the Head"