Baku has once again become a place where colors, patterns, and cultural memory intersect these days. The “International Carpet Festival,” held from May 1-3, has transformed the ancient Icherisheher, considered the heart of the capital, into an open-air museum. On a sunny weekend, carpet samples hung from balconies, along with compositions reflecting various ornaments, add a special color to the overall landscape of Icherisheher, further enlivening the festival atmosphere.
Modern.az presents a report from the “International Carpet Festival” held in Baku:
The pavilions set up in Gosha Gala Square, one of the main venues of the festival, attract more attention, drawing tourists and participants from various countries around the world. Along with Azerbaijan, artisans from Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Nepal, and Mexico showcase their carpet weaving traditions here. In each pavilion, masters interact with visitors, providing detailed information about the stages of carpet making, the natural dyes used, and the meaning of the patterns.
Visitors do not merely observe the exhibitions; they also closely examine the intricate details on the carpets, ask questions to the weaving masters, and sometimes even become part of the process, wishing to get a closer look at the work being done. Interest particularly increases in pavilions where live weaving demonstrations are held. The carpets woven stitch by stitch by the masters clearly show how much effort and patience this art requires, attracting the attention of people from various age groups. Amidst the ancient stone walls, in our capital that speaks through the language of carpets, I also had conversations with participants from different countries.
Our conversation with Fahri Solak from Turkey took place at one such moment. According to Fahri Solak, this is his second visit to Azerbaijan.
"I first came to Baku in 2017 and participated in the carpet festival held here at that time. Nine years later, I came back to dear Azerbaijan and witnessed even greater development in the country during this period.
I am both a mayor and involved in carpet weaving. From this perspective, I can say that the attention and state support shown to the art of carpet weaving in Azerbaijan are particularly commendable. The work done for the development of this field is clearly felt."
According to our interviewee from fraternal Turkey, the festival was organized at a high level:
"Here, carpets are not just treated as household items, but as examples of cultural heritage. The display of carpets in various forms - spread on the ground, hung from walls and other places - is also completely natural in terms of presenting this art.
Based on my observations, I have not encountered a carpet festival organized in this format and on this scale in other countries. This is a great success for Azerbaijan. Finally, I express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to this work."
A little further on, participant Zaur Khalilov from Georgia provides information to visitors about Borchaly carpets...
“We are participating in the carpet festival held in Azerbaijan for the second time. Here, we present and promote Borchaly carpets, and at the same time, contribute to the preservation of carpet culture. Various types of Borchaly carpets can be seen at the festival. These include different weaving styles such as "Garachop" and "Dag Borchaly". Especially the “Dragon Borchaly” carpet is one of the globally recognized examples. In addition, carpet types such as Faxralı and Namazlı are also exhibited.
As an example, when looking at the carpets, it is possible to see various symbols on them. Leaf motifs are depicted on one of the carpets. Such carpets are usually given by a mother to her daughter as a dowry. The leaf and flower images express the mother's wish for her daughter's life to be colorful and full of flowers.
At the same time, a dragon figure is also present on another carpet. The dragon is accepted as a symbol protecting the family from evil eyes. Against this background, dog images also attract attention. The dog is considered both a protector and a member of the family, and holds an indispensable place especially in the nomadic lifestyle.
In addition, flower motifs are widely used in the carpet, symbolizing the wish for life to be full of beauty and abundance. In fact, traditionally, a camel figure should also have been here. However, since these carpets are woven to order, that element is not present in these samples."
We also spoke with Leticia Ruiz Gutierrez, representing Mexico, at the Mexican pavilion. She expressed her impressions as follows:
“I am very happy to participate in the International Carpet Festival for the first time, representing Mexico. It is truly wonderful to be here and present the carpets we have made. We use natural, organic dyes in our carpets - various flowers, etc. In short, everything is completely natural.
I am very, very excited to be here, because Baku is a magnificent city. This is my first trip to Azerbaijan. I myself am from the village of Teotitlán del Valle, located in the Oaxaca region of Mexico."
While conversing with Maryam Gafurova from Kazakhstan, she also emphasized that the carpet festival is very important in terms of preserving and showcasing national cultural values:
“Thanks to this platform, people from different parts of the world, by presenting these beautiful handicrafts and carpets, first and foremost promote their heritage. The festival not only inspires us but also brings us together, allows us to talk about key topics, and attracts people from different parts of the world to see and share this beauty.”
Our interlocutor representing Kazakhstan said that she had visited Azerbaijan before:
"This is not my first visit to Azerbaijan. I was here last year, participating in one of the international concerts. That trip was very pleasant. I really liked the Carpet Museum and the National Museum. At that time, I decided that I would definitely return. Azerbaijani national cuisine is very delicious, the dishes are magnificent. The city is very comfortable and friendly, I would even say that the streets themselves leave a pleasant impression on people. That's why I would like to come to Azerbaijan again."
Pakistani Bas Bibi emphasized that she works as a carpet teacher in her country and teaches carpet weaving to students:
"The products I brought to this festival are not only carpets. There are also my handicrafts - wallets, national hats, and other art samples. All the carpets I presented are made of wool material and are completely hand-woven. Each one is made with great effort and love.
This is my first visit to Azerbaijan, and I am representing my country here for the first time. Frankly, I was very pleased with it. The Azerbaijani people are very kind, calm, and sincere. I felt very comfortable here, and this trip was an unforgettable experience for me."
...As I walked through the festival, the most impressive moment for me was the “speaking” of the carpets. Behind every pattern, every color, there is manual labor, eye strain, and great effort. I would even say that sometimes just looking at a carpet was enough to feel which geography, which culture it belonged to.
Along with carpet weaving samples, examples of Azerbaijani national cuisine, as well as various attributes and symbols, also attract attention in the ancient streets. Traditional dishes and national elements presented around the pavilions provide tourists and guests with the opportunity to get to know the country's cultural environment more closely. By hosting such an international festival, Azerbaijan not only showcases the art of carpet weaving but also introduces its rich cultural heritage to the whole world. Thus, the festival brings together various fields, making it important for cultural integration and presentation, as well as for establishing a platform for lively inter-country communication.
