Mammad Safa was born on 25 July 1960 in the Shabran district (formerly Davachi). From 1967 to 1977 he studied at Shabran City Secondary School No. 2. From 1977 to 1980 he studied under Afrasiyab Mammadov at the Baku Cultural-Educational Technical School, majoring in leading amateur theatre companies, graduating with distinction. After graduating from the technical school, he was assigned to work at the Shabran Culture House. In 1980 he entered the Faculty of Drama and Film Acting of the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts. From 1980 to 1984 he studied acting at the M. A. Aliyev Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts under masters such as Nasir Sadigzade, Fuad Hajiyev and Zamina Hajiyeva. From 1985 he continued his career at the Teaching Theatre under the renowned theatre figure Vagif Ibrahimoglu. There he performed in productions of Mirza Fatali Akhundov''s "Monsieur Jordan and Dervish Mastali Shah" (as Shahbaz bey), Friedrich Schiller''s "The Robbers" (as Spiegelberg), Stoyan Bulgakov''s "The Bus" (as the husband), Mar Baydzhiyev''s "The Duel", and Grigori Gorin''s "Forget Herostratus". When Vagif Ibrahimoglu founded an experimental studio in 1988, Mammad Safa joined the troupe of young actors. On the basis of this collective the Yugh State Theatre was founded in 1991. He has been an actor of the Yugh Theatre ever since. The actor''s creative biography includes many complex and interesting roles. He has worked at the University of Culture and Arts since graduating from it in 1984 to the present day. He became a lecturer in 1988, an associate professor in 2002, and a professor in 2018. He currently teaches the art of acting and heads the Department of Stage Speech. In 2004 he was awarded the "Golden Dervish" prize for his active participation in the development of theatre art in Azerbaijan. In 2009 he was awarded the honorary title of Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan. He received the President''s Prize in 2009, 2010, 2011, on 9 May 2012, 30 April 2014, 6 May 2015, 6 May 2016, 1 May 2017, 10 May 2019, 7 May 2020, 7 May 2021 and 10 May 2022. On 27 May 2018 he was awarded the honorary title of People''s Artist of Azerbaijan. On 10 March 2021 he was awarded the "Artist" medal established by the Azerbaijan Union of Theatre Figures. On 19 February 2023 he received the "Golden Sun Awards 2023" prize. On 6 May 2023 he was awarded a personal scholarship from the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for his services to the development of Azerbaijani culture. In 2023 he was awarded the breast badge "Advanced Education Worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan" established by the Ministry of Science and Education. In 2024, during the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, he announced his support for Ilham Aliyev. In 2024 his textbook "Theatre... Film... Actor" was published. The book gathers the teaching materials needed for mastering the learning outcomes of specialised subjects and the theoretical and practical aspects of actor and director training, and for acquiring the relevant skills. It presents theory and training in the art of theatre, and the methods and experience of theorists and directors such as Konstantin Stanislavski, Lee Strasberg and Vagif Ibrahimoglu. By decision of the Board of the international magazine "Azerbaijani World" and the "Dede Gorgud" National Foundation dated 17 April 2024, People''s Artist of the Republic, talented film and theatre actor, professor of the University of Culture and Arts and worthy figure Mammadsafa Mammadali oglu Gasimov was awarded the "Son of the Motherland" public order, a joint project of the "Dede Gorgud" National Foundation and the international magazine "Azerbaijani World", for his invaluable contribution to Azerbaijani culture, for winning the hearts of his people through the roles he has performed in theatre and cinema, and for his unparalleled services to national art. The order was presented on 29 April 2024 at 11:00 at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts by Eldar Ismayil, president of the "Dede Gorgud" National Foundation and editor-in-chief and founder of the international magazine "Azerbaijani World".
