BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 1. The 2nd International
Carpet Forum, an event going far beyond the usual professional
meeting, has opened in Baku, Trend reports.
The event is a part of the International Carpet Festival, which
will be held on May 1–3, organized by Azerkhalcha OJSC and the
Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Office, with
the support of the Ministry of Economy and the Azerbaijan Export
and Investment Promotion Agency – AZPROMO.
The forum dedicated to the theme " Carpet Industry: Value
creation, branding and global markets. From cultural heritage to a
competitive global product" has brought together leading
international experts, designers, manufacturers, researchers,
exporters, and creative industry representatives from the carpet
industry.
The opening ceremony included speeches by the Chairman of the
Board of Azerkhalcha OJSC, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Emin
Mammadov, the Chairman of the Board of the Icherisheher State
Historical and Architectural Reserve Rufat Mahmud, the Deputy
Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Saadat Yusifova, and the
Coordinator of Arts and Marketing of the International Carpet
Festival Nigar Ismayilzade.
The speakers noted that the event is becoming an important
platform for transforming handmade carpets from a traditional
heritage item into a sustainable and competitive product in the
global market.
The speakers emphasized that the forum is primarily focused not
on theoretical discussions, but on practical business experience
and successful international cases that have already proven their
effectiveness. One of the forum's key goals is to shift the
perception of carpets from solely as cultural or museum objects to
their appreciation as highly profitable commercial products capable
of successfully competing in global markets.
The forum pays special attention to contemporary design
requirements, as international success depends not only on
traditional quality and craftsmanship, but also on the carpet's
alignment with current interior design trends and the incorporation
of design innovations.
The speakers also noted an increased importance of storytelling:
today's buyers pay attention not only to the product itself, but
also to the history of its creation, the culture, the work of the
master weaver, and the symbolic, almost sacred meaning imbued in
each carpet.
In conclusion, the speakers underscored that the forum's focus
has shifted toward practice: instead of theoretical lectures,
participants are shown real-life examples of successful sales and
export strategies from foreign companies and designers who have
already established a strong position in the global market. The
forum also aims to provide a practical roadmap for both designers
and manufacturers to enhance the economic potential of the carpet
weaving sector.
The event has continued with thematic sessions.
The forum will be just the beginning of a grand festival—a
cultural marathon. On May 2-3, Baku's historic center,
Icherisheher, will be transformed into a vibrant space for carpet
art. The main goal is to promote the art of Azerbaijani carpet
weaving on a global scale, demonstrate its rich heritage and future
development prospects, and benefit from the experience and skills
of world carpet weavers.
Ancient caravanserais, squares, and historic houses will host
carpet exhibitions, master classes, and musical events.
Representatives from countries around the world will present their
carpet weaving traditions in national pavilions to be set up in
Gosha Gala Square. Furthermore, galleries in Icherisheher will host
exhibitions by various famous local and international artists.
The festival will also feature exhibitions of unique carpets
from various regions, weaving workshops where the visitors can
witness the process of pattern creation, performance programs, and
special educational activities for children.
The city will literally be "covered" in carpet culture -not in a
museum setting, but in a living, breathing format.
Such forums foster a new perspective on traditional art. Here,
the carpet ceases to be merely a heritage object—it becomes part of
the modern cultural economy, a national brand, and a tool for
international dialogue.
Moreover, such events reintroduce the sense that handcraft,
symbolism, and history can still be relevant in the digital
age.
These days, Baku is becoming more than just the world's carpet
capital—it's transforming into a place where the past and future
are literally woven into a single canvas.
Thus, Baku has once again become a global magnet for
connoisseurs of traditional art and contemporary design. Carpet
weaving in Azerbaijan has long ceased to be simply a craft. It's a
visual code that encodes regional patterns, family traditions, and
the aesthetics of entire eras. Today, Baku is becoming the place
where this language is translated into a modern, global format.
The Carpet Festival, dedicated to the professional holiday of
Azerbaijani carpet weavers, "Carpet Weaver's Day", also coincides
with the 10th anniversary of Azerkhalcha OJSC this year.
Further details on the events can be found at: https://bakucarpetfest.az/2026/
Information support – Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az,
Azernews.Az
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