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April 4, 2018

Presentation of the project “Carpets of Baku. New patterns” and “Khatai” carpet takes place in the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum

An exhibition comprised of newly made carpets and patterns was inaugurated in the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, April 4.

 

The exhibition was realized with joint organizational support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Regional Development Public Association (RDPA) of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, and Zira Culture Centre – Eco Park. Within the framework of the exhibition took place also presentation of the book “Carpets of Baku. New patterns” and Garabagh’s “Khatai” carpet related to the 17th century, which was presented to the museum by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

 

Speaking at the event, Director of the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum Shirin Malikova said this project was implemented with support from First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva. Talking about the history of carpets in our country, the museum director touched upon the advancement of this art further. Underscoring the state’s constant support of the carpet-weaving art, S.Malikova emphasized that Azerbaijani carpets are well known all over the world today. She thanked Mehriban Aliyeva for the support provided for introducing new carpets into the Carpet Museum’s exposition.

 

Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev talked about the achievements reached in the country’s cultural life. Drawing attention to these projects as being among such achievements, the minister said: “Today, we are witnessing a very significant event. The history of Azerbaijan’s carpet weaving art is old, with its different patterns. 29 new carpet patterns related to the Baku group have been prepared in the framework of the project “Carpets of Baku. New patterns”, implemented by Zira Culture Centre-Eco Park. Carpets have been weaved and a book entitled “Carpets of Baku. New patterns” made. As you know, the Zira Culture Centre-Eco Park was created in 2015 following the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s initiative. The Centre’s directions of activity include also the Zira Carpet Museum, the Carpet Education Centre, and the Carpet Factory. Azerbaijani carpets have been playing a significant role in our history. Carpets with classic and modern patterns, corresponding to the traditions of Azerbaijan’s Baku group carpet-making art, are successfully made in the Zira Carpet Factory, being in operation since 2016. Carpet making is part of our lifestyle. We have witnessed a number of successful projects in all areas of our culture, under the leadership of President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva. The return of Garabagh’s “Khatai” carpet - related to the 17th century, with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, to our country and handing over to the museum is an obvious example of this. The Foundation has been doing a lot, at their own cost, to return carpets belonging to us that are preserved in a number of world museums to our country, and have been successful in doing this. Our culture is crossing the country’s boundaries today and presented in various countries. Numerous tourists are visiting our country. One of the places that tourists visit is the Carpet Museum. Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank all who have made their contribution to the presentation of this project.”

 

Then, Garabagh’s “Khatai” carpet - related to the 17th century, which had been brought from abroad to our country, with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was presented to the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. “Khatai” carpet has its unique place among the Azerbaijani carpets. Once these carpets were weaved in Garabagh and taken to foreign countries via the Silk Way. Unfortunately, there is no such carpets in our country at the moment. From this point of view, the return of the “Khatai” carpet, with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, to Azerbaijan should be appreciated as a great contribution to our culture.

 

Presentation of a book called “Carpets of Baku. New patterns” took place in the framework of the exhibition. The book contains the history of the applied art in Baku villages, traditions of classic art, newly created patterns, and information about the Baku carpet-making group. The book has been compiled with participation of the country’s eminent carpet specialists and art critics. Here is given comprehensive information about Azerbaijan’s carpet making art, classical Baku carpets, and, in particular, newly created carpet patterns.

 

Director General of the World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololokashvili too attended the event.

 

The exhibition, which is going to continue until April 15, has left rich impression on the guests.

 

This carpet is the second present given by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to the museum. In 2017, an ancient example of Shirvan embroidery related to the 18th century, which had been brought to our country with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was presented to the Carpet Museum. 


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