Rasim Balayev has passed away
Rasim Balayev, the People’s Artist of Azerbaijan and Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan (AKI), passed away on March 29, 2026, in a hospital in Istanbul where he was receiving treatment.
Rasim Ahmad oglu Balayev was born on August 8, 1948, in the Agsu district. He completed secondary school in Agsu in 1965 and graduated from the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts in 1969.
He gained great public acclaim for the characters he portrayed in the films “Nasimi”, “Babek”, and “Dede Gorgud”.
The artist, who paid special attention to our animated cinema, performed as a voice actor in the animated films “Dedication” (Ithaf), “Toral and Zari”, and “The Book of Dede Gorgud: Basat and Tepegoz”.
He served as the secretary of the Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan from 1990 to 2013. On May 31, 2022, he was elected Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan. The Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan, which he led, is a permanent partner of the ANİMAFİLM International Animation Festival.
On August 8, 2023, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, presented the “Istiglal” Order to Rasim Balayev.
The farewell ceremony for People’s Artist Rasim Balayev will be held tomorrow at 12:00 PM at the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre. The burial will take place in the First Alley of Honor.
May God have mercy on him!
