A Scots woman who dreamed of bringing a boys’ dance ensemble from Azerbaijan to Aberdeen will be honoured during the group’s first UK performance tonight.
Sadly Fiona Maclachlan died of ovarian cancer in November before she could see the Eagles of Azerbaijan take the stage in her native Scotland.
Mrs Maclachlan, who was born and brought up in Thurso, moved to Azerbaijan in 2004, where her husband Alastair worked for BP.
During her time there, the mother-of-three, who graduated from Aberdeen University with a degree in botany in 1978, took a great interest in the country’s traditions and culture.
She was delighted when she got the chance to visit Mardakan and see the Eagles of Azerbaijan perform.
The dance troupe was founded by legendary Azerbaijani dancer Khanlar Bashirov in 2007 to keep the country’s national dances alive and to ensure they were passed down from generation to generation.
During his own dance career, which spanned 42 years, Mr Bashirov danced in 50 countries and is considered to be a master of traditional Azerbaijani dancing.
Yesterday his daughter Aydeniz Bashirova said: “When Fiona saw the group perform she liked them very much and she told my father she wanted them to come to Aberdeen.
“We are very happy to finally be here. It is a lovely place and we hope the public will enjoy coming to see our dancing.
“But it will be an emotional night without Fiona there.”
The group’s first performance, in tribute to Mrs Maclachlan, will take place at Newton Dee at 7.30pm.
The energetic troupe of 10 young dancers – aged 11 to 17 – and six musicians, will don traditional costumes to perform lively national dances, including the playful Shaki, Chobanlar and Yalli Zorkhana.
The group – named after the Azerbaijani map which is shaped like an eagle – have already performed in a host of countries including Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Russia, Turkey, Romania, Germany and Ethiopia.
They will also feature in the International Dance Gala at HMT on Thursday from 7.30pm, and as part of the International Variety Gala, also at HMT, at 2.30 and 7.30pm on Saturday.