BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 1. The first session on
the topic of “Design, Collections, and Product Development” took
place at the Baku Business Center as part of the 2nd International
Carpet Forum, Trend
Life reports.
During the session, participants discussed key directions for
transforming traditional crafts into modern products geared toward
the global market. The session was moderated by Olga Latysheva, an
art historian and communications specialist, head of regional
corporate communications, and lecturer at MGIMO.
The first speaker was Belgian contemporary textile artist Laurin
Malengreau, who spoke about how artisanal art can be transformed
into an object of the contemporary art market on an international
level.
Afterwards, Professor Dr. María del Carmen Avendano Rito from
Mexico, a researcher in the field of conservation and a member of
the National System of Researchers of Mexico (SNI), presented a
report on textile traditions, identity, and their relevance in the
context of the global contemporary world.
Tarik Sadik, Director General of La Maison de l'Artisan in
Morocco, shared his experience with institutional support for
artisans and value creation, emphasizing the importance of
structural models for the development of the carpet industry.
Nasser Al-Darmaki, Vice President of the International Council
of Museums (ICOM) from the UAE, highlighted the role of museums as
catalysts for building a global carpet brand and preserving
cultural heritage in the modern world.
The session concluded with a presentation by Luca Emilio
Brancati, an Italian expert on carpets and tapestries and a
certified appraiser, who spoke about creating value in the carpet
industry through branding, storytelling, and expanding into
international markets.
The session served as an important platform for exchanging
practical experience and discussing new models for the development
of carpet art in the context of the global economy.
The International Carpet Forum is taking place from May 1
through May 3 with organizational support from OJSC “Azerkhalcha”
and the Administration of the “Icherisheher” State Historical and
Architectural Reserve, and with the support of the Ministry of
Economy of Azerbaijan and the Agency for the Promotion of Exports
and Investments (AZPROMO).
The forum, dedicated to the theme “The Carpet Industry: Value
Creation, Branding, and Integration into the Global Market. From
Cultural Heritage to a Competitive Global Product,” brought
together leading international experts, designers, manufacturers,
researchers, exporters, and representatives of the creative sector
of the carpet industry.
The event will be just the beginning of a grand festival, a
cultural marathon. From May 2 through May 3, Baku’s historic
center, Icherisheher, will transform into a living carpet space.
The main goal is to present Azerbaijani carpet weaving on the world
stage, showcase its rich heritage and prospects for further
development, and learn from the experience and skills of carpet
weavers from around the world.
The Carpet Festival, dedicated to the professional holiday of
Azerbaijani carpet weavers - Carpet Weaver's Day - also coincides
this year with the 10th anniversary of Azerkhalcha JSC.
For more details about the events, visit https://bakucarpetfest.az/2026/
Media support – Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az,
Azernews.Az
