International Carpet Festival wraps up successfully in Baku

Baku, May 5, AZERTAC

The International Carpet Festival, running through May 1–3, and co-organized by “Azerkhalcha” OJSC and “Icherisheher” State Historical-Architectural Reserve Office, with the support of the Ministry of Economy and the Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), successfully concluded in Baku.

The International Carpet Forum, organized on the first day of the event – on May 1, brought together local and foreign experts working in this field. The Forum was attended by representatives of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Albania, Morocco, Mexico, Türkiye, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Belgium and other countries. The Forum, which was attended by fine art experts, carpet-makers, students, and art figures, featured extensive presentations on the history and aesthetic features of Azerbaijani carpets, and their place in the world cultural heritage; it was also emphasized that carpet-making is not only a cultural heritage, but also a creative industry with high economic potential.

On May 2–3, the Festival continued in a festive atmosphere on the ancient streets and squares of Icherisheher. The ancient Bukhara and Multani caravansaries, Gosha Gala Square and other venues hosted carpet exhibitions, master classes, interactive theatre performances and concert programs. The Festival, which was attended by representatives of 19 countries, featured national pavilions of 14 states, including Azerbaijan, and demonstrated various carpet weaving schools, techniques, and traditions to visitors. During the Festival, the territory of Icherisheher was decorated with 500 real handmade carpets of “Azerkhalcha” OJSC. Within two days, thousands of local and foreign guests walked on these carpets, touched them, photographed, and passed through a part of history.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony held at Gosha Gala Square, Chairman of the Board of the “Icherisheher” State Historical-Architectural Reserve Office, Rufat Mahmud, Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Azerkhalcha” OJSC, Honored Artist Emin Mammadov, Executive Director of AZPROMO Yusif Abdullayev, Member of the Milli Majlis, Chairman of the Culture Committee of the Parliament Polad Bulbuloglu specifically noted both the cultural and economic importance of the Festival. It was noted that such international events not only strengthen the tourism potential of Azerbaijan, but also make a significant contribution to the promotion of our national heritage on a global scale.

The event brought together officials, public figures, diplomats, and MPs of the Milli Majlis. The guests got acquainted with the collections of carpets, samples of national applied and decorative arts, and international pavilions exhibited at the Festival.

This year, in addition to the main organizers, about 20 organizations acted as partners at the International Carpet Festival. The International Carpet Festival, which demonstrates the path of development of Azerbaijani carpet-making art from ancient history to modern times, not only plays an important role in promoting the cultural heritage of our country at the international level, but also once again proves that such large-scale events can be successfully organized in the historical environment of Icherisheher.