The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum celebrated the 10th anniversary of its operations in its new building with an event titled “Contemporary Space for an Ancient Art.” The event, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, began with a video showcasing the efforts of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to promote the development of carpet weaving in the country.
In their speeches, Amina Melikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, and Jahangir Salimkhanov, Advisor to the Minister of Culture, highlighted the significance of August 26. This date marks the Day of the city of Lachin, the birthday of Azerbaijan's First Vice-President, ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador, and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, and the anniversary of the museum's contemporary building opening. The speakers emphasized Mehriban Aliyeva's exceptional contributions to preserving national heritage and advancing the museum sector.
The Ministry of Culture awarded the Carpet Museum an Honorary Diploma for its efforts in preserving and promoting examples of folk applied art.
As part of the event, a video project titled “Carpet for Me is...” featured cultural and artistic figures sharing their personal stories about the role of carpets in their lives. Special guest Franz Janz, the renowned Austrian architect and designer of the museum's modern building, spoke about the project's realization, which has become one of Baku's iconic symbols.
The event also showcased national heritage pieces from the 19th to early 20th centuries, including Shikhli (Gazakh), Achma-Yumma and Bahmanli (Karabakh) carpets, and a Pashali kilim (Shirvan), obtained from collectors Metin and Huseyin Konukchu (Türkiye), Mirco Cattai (Italy), and Hojat Abasi (Germany).
The evening concluded with a concert program titled "Jazz Pattern" by Emil Afrasiyab, an Honored Artist of Azerbaijan, marking his first performance within a museum setting.
In 2007, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree for constructing a new space for the carpet museum. A large-scale project to preserve, develop, and pass on carpet art to future generations was carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The new building, designed to resemble an unfolding carpet, was inaugurated on August 26, 2014, with President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva in attendance.
Today, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum is one of the most visited cultural institutions in the country.
