The "Pillə 4" Republican Student Theatre Festival was held under the organization of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts (ASUCA), in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre, with the aim of inspiring students toward creative pursuits, identifying young talents, promoting theatre culture, and fostering a creative environment among higher education institutions.

The festival opened on May 4, 2026. Until May 7, student teams from ASUCA and other universities competed with compelling performances. On May 6, with the support of the School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences of Khazar, students presented a performance based on the play "Almaz" on the ASUCA stage. The performance featured students enrolled in various faculties of Khazar. Fourth-year students of the Philology (English Language and Literature) programme of the School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences — Ramala Hasanova portrayed the role of Almaz, and Shayesta Malakan the role of Khanimnaz; second-year Psychology student Zahra Farajzada portrayed the role of Solmaz; second-year Political Science student Sabir Piriyev portrayed the role of Fuad; third-year Translation Studies students Emil Gurbanbeyov and Manzura Gurbanli portrayed the roles of Sharif and Fatmansa respectively; third-year Tourism student of the School of Economics and Management Karim Shabanov portrayed the role of Barat; and first-year Management student Sabuhi Pashayev portrayed the role of Ibad. Second-year Translation Studies student Eyyub Allahyar, second-year Foreign Language Teaching student Aytan Khalil, and third-year Physics Teaching student Rahila Rustamova portrayed teacher characters in the performance. First-year Tourism Management student Hakimkhan Hasankhanli handled lighting and technical support.

The post-performance discussion was held on May 7 at ASUCA, with the participation of a jury composed of faculty members from the Theatre Studies Department.

The festival programme featured a total of 23 performances, 12 of which belonged to ASUCA's student theatre ensembles and 11 to student theatre collectives from other higher education institutions.

The closing and awards ceremony of the festival was held on May 8. Khazar University's second-year Psychology student Zahra Farajzada was named the winner in the "Best Supporting Female Role" category and received an award for her outstanding performance in the play "Almaz", in which she performed alongside her fellow students.

Speakers at the ceremony included ASUCA Rector, Honoured Art Worker, Professor Jeyran Mahmudova; Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan Indira Hajiyeva; Head of the Arts Policy Department of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Intiqam Babayev; Deputy Director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre and Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies Vafa Muhajirova; Head of the Theatre, Cinema and Television Department of the Institute of Architecture and Arts of ANAS, Assoc. Prof. Vidadi Gafarov; Chairman of the ASUCA Jury and Professor of the Theatre Studies Department Israfil Israfilov; as well as the teaching staff of the Faculty of Theatre Arts.

The artistic programme featured a dance composition by ASUCA's dance ensemble, performances by the ASUCA "Camerata" student orchestra, students of the Faculty of Musical Arts, and Mardan Kazimov.