When a person turns every day of life into a work of art, fate itself seems to respond to their sincere efforts. Tahir Mammadov is not simply an artist — he is a man of flow, a man of light. His energy captivates you from the very first words. Out of seemingly nothing, he can create an exhibition, a film, or a concert that brings together thousands of people.
His path is one of perseverance, intuition, and a profound love for life, for people, for art, and for his son, in whom he found a continuation of his own creative self.
With him, one wants to speak not only about art but also about faith, destiny, and those coincidences that, in his life, often turned out not to be coincidences at all. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: if you truly desire something, if you move forward with an open heart, good fortune will always answer.
In an interview for Fortunamag.az, Tahir Mammadov shares his stories, memories, and reflections. Between the lines, one can hear the central message: “Angels are near. I know it.” Perhaps that is his greatest secret.
— Mr. Tahir, welcome to Fortuna. You know, I would like to begin with the very name of our magazine — Fortuna. It means success. It means luck. What does the word “fortune” mean to you?
— Fortune? For me, it is something much greater than mere chance. In my life, I have seen many examples of people who, despite their talent, hard work, and even passion for what they do, failed to achieve what they desired simply because luck did not smile upon them.
It depends on many factors — timing, circumstances, and perhaps even certain cosmic coincidences. Life is arranged in such a way that hard work alone is not enough. The stars must align as well. The right people must appear beside you at the right moment. An opportunity must arise — and you must recognize it.
— So, you believe in luck?
— Very much. Moreover, I am convinced that luck comes to those who genuinely expect it. To those who believe, who live for their work, who are passionate about it. At such moments, an inner energy is born, something like magnetism, and that energy attracts luck. I know that if a person truly wants something, if they are devoted to their path, they will certainly achieve something meaningful.
— You were born and raised in Baku. How did the city influence your development as an artist?
— To be honest, I never deliberately set out to become an artist — everything happened quite naturally. At school, drawing was the subject I excelled at most; the others interested me far less. I spent a great deal of time in cultural centers: attending art classes, photography clubs, dance lessons, and studying music. At that time, it was perfectly natural — everyone had a hobby, and the atmosphere encouraged creativity.
After school, I entered an art college on my first attempt, although it was not easy. I studied there for five years. My graduation project was devoted to the theme of “Musicians” because it was a world close to me.
After college, I began collaborating with the newspaper “Youth of Azerbaijan,” writing articles, taking photographs, and conducting interviews. At the same time, I dreamed of entering VGIK to study film directing.
I sent my stories and photographs to VGIK, and a month later I received an invitation to take the entrance examinations. I moved to Moscow and stayed with a friend. There were three admission tests: an interview, a screenplay assignment, and an acting examination.
The screenplay topic was “Half an Hour in Moscow,” although I had only just arrived and barely knew the city. I recalled the courtyard of my childhood in Baku and wrote about a day in the life of an elderly man and a child — how they interacted and observed the world around them. That screenplay became my first step toward directing.
— Can you recall a particular moment when you thought: “This is it — this is luck”?
— Certainly. In my life, such moments rarely came easily. Luck usually entered my door after difficulties and challenges. Some people seem to have everything fall into place effortlessly, by pure chance. In my case, everything came through struggle and perseverance. Yet it came nonetheless, and for that I am grateful.
For example, when my son was entering the Moscow Conservatory. He passed his examination successfully. But immediately afterward, there was an urgent need to pay a certain amount of money, and I had arrived in Moscow without those funds. It seemed like a dead end.
Then I remembered someone I had not spoken to in a long time and called him. As it turned out, he was in Moscow. He came and helped. That was luck. Or, as you put it, a fortunate coincidence. Or perhaps simply — an angel.
— So, you believe that angels are with you?
— Yes. I feel it. They are near.
— I remember you once spoke about a book of poetry that you happened to find in the subway. That book later inspired a screenplay.
— Exactly. Sometimes such seemingly small events play a decisive role. It is as if someone from above is telling you: “Look, this is something you need.”
— Tell us more.
— There are many such stories in my life. Many encounters and acquaintances seem as though they were sent by fate. Sometimes I think: if I had not met that particular person, everything would have turned out differently. Perhaps nothing would have worked out at all.
I am grateful to God for giving me sensitivity to beauty, the ability to notice it. I feel it everywhere — in sounds, in colors, in people.
Sometimes, while listening to music, I feel as though I am lifted out of everyday routine. I live inside it, as if I had composed it myself. And in those moments I think: “I wish someone could see what I have become right now — inspired, authentic.”
It is like cinema. There is a viewer who simply watches, and there is an informed viewer who truly feels what is happening on the screen. Suddenly, they realize that the film is about them. It is a feeling that you are not alone. As it turns out, there are many people who are sensitive in this way.
— You invested a great deal of effort in your son’s creative journey. That, too, is a kind of luck, isn’t it?
— Absolutely. I walked beside him every step of the way — from his very first steps to the stage. I remember how we arrived in Moscow, and everything worked out. Yet things could have turned out very differently. But they did work out.
Another time, when we traveled to Paris… I simply walked into Madame Bournot’s gallery and said that I wanted to stay. She replied, “Okay, stay.”
I received a visa thanks to that very document confirming the sale of my artworks. I never imagined everything would come together the way it did. But it did.
— So, out of nothing, suddenly everything appears.
— Exactly. As you rightly pointed out, it is like a hostess who creates a festive table from the simplest ingredients.
That is how many of my projects have come to life. There is an idea, but no budget, no conditions, no resources. Then, piece by piece, everything comes together like a mosaic, and something significant is born.
Perhaps that is what a soul is. When you put yourself into something, it comes alive.
— Where does such determination come from?
— Persistence. That is my secret.
I do not know how to give up. If I start something, I see it through to the end. Perhaps not immediately, perhaps with mistakes along the way, but I finish it.
— You once said that you enrolled, quit, and returned more than once…
— Yes. That is part of the journey too.
I always started from scratch. I made films without diplomas. I found my way into Europe without connections. The most important thing is to remain true to yourself and to believe that everything is possible.
— What did you feel when your son performed Mozart with a symphony orchestra?
— It was a celebration. His first major concert.
I organized an anniversary event — not in a restaurant, but in a philharmonic hall. I found sponsors and brought people together. There were fifteen hundred people in the audience.
At that moment, I realized that none of it had been in vain. Not a single step I had taken.
— What would you like to wish for our magazine?
— To Fortuna, I wish good fortune.
May it exist not only in the title but also in every issue and every interview. May the magazine help people feel that they are not alone. May it inspire them and fill them with faith and light.
As an editor, you have a great mission, and I wish you inspiration, resilience, and love in fulfilling it.
