Azerbaijan Showcases Rich Carpet Heritage at Khiva’s “Shine of Carpets” Festival

Azerbaijan has taken center stage at the first international “Shine of Carpets” exhibition-festival, held at the Arda Khiva tourist complex in the ancient Uzbek city of Khiva.

The exhibition-festival attracted thousands of residents and visitors from across the Khorezm region and beyond, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

Organized with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Uzbekistan, the event brought together masters, scholars, artists, engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs from various regions of Uzbekistan, as well as from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan.

Azerbaijan was proudly represented by the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center and featured renowned carpet artist and miniature painter Agasadig Suleymanov from Baku.

Akif Marifli, director of the Azerbaijani Cultural Center, highlighted the deep cultural significance of carpet weaving, calling it a vital part of the Azerbaijani people’s millennia-old heritage, national artistry, and aesthetic philosophy.

The festival showcased a rare exhibition dedicated to the art of traditional carpet weaving, with the Azerbaijani pavilion exhibiting exquisite carpets from Karabakh, Nakhchivan, Ganja, Guba, Yerevan, Tabriz, Borchali, Derbent, and other regions. Visitors were also able to explore albums highlighting the rich history of Azerbaijani carpet art. Suleymanov demonstrated the intricate carpet weaving process on his small loom, providing a captivating live experience of this traditional craft.

The event culminated with an awards ceremony honoring outstanding contributors in several categories. Suleymanov earned first prize in the “Young Carpet Artist” category, receiving a certificate and commemorative gifts in recognition of his skills.

The Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijani Cultural Center was also awarded an honorary diploma for its expert presentation of the rich traditions, artistic depth, national style, and timeless beauty of Azerbaijani carpets, further cementing its role in preserving and promoting this cultural treasure.