National Carpet Festival Held at BEU

A National Carpet Festival was held at Baku Engineering University (BEU) in connection with May 5 - Carpet Weaver's Day. Organized by the Design Department of the Faculty of Architecture and Construction, the festival brought together not only BEU students, but also persons with disabilities undergoing rehabilitation at the Vocational and Labour Rehabilitation Centre for Persons with Disabilities under the Social Services Agency, which operates under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, as well as students of the Azerbaijan Academy of Fine Arts and young artists from the Azim Azimzade College of Arts.

Speaking at the event, BEU Rector Yagub Piriyev emphasized the important role such festivals play in preserving national and cultural values and transmitting them to future generations. The Rector characterized carpet art as one of the most valuable examples of heritage reflecting our people's national identity, aesthetic taste, and historical memory. He noted that May 5 - Carpet Weaver's Day - was established as a professional holiday by a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev in 2016, and that this step is a clear demonstration of the state's attention and care for the art of carpet weaving. The significant contributions of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva to the preservation of carpet weaving art were also highlighted, with reference to the inclusion of Azerbaijani carpet weaving on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list 16 years ago, at her initiative.

Yagub Piriyev also noted that the "Decorative and Applied Arts" specialization was introduced at BEU's Design Department last year with the aim of preserving our folk art and cultivating a new generation of carpet-weaving artists, and touched upon other steps being taken to train professionals who meet the demands of the modern era by combining engineering precision with artistic refinement.

The gathering of talented young people from various educational institutions and persons with disabilities within the framework of the festival was described in the address as a celebration of unity and creativity. It was noted that every knot and every work of art on display is an expression of devotion to art, and that such events make a significant contribution to the promotion and preservation of our national and cultural heritage.

More than 100 exhibits were displayed during the festival. The exposition featured felt, rush matting, pile-less carpets (palaz, kilim, zili, sumakh, shaddeh, jajim), as well as pile carpet samples from Baku, Shirvan, Karabakh, Shaki, Guba, and other regions. Participants were also provided with detailed information about carpet products such as horse blankets, khorjun saddlebags, mafrash bags, and orkhan rope works, as well as ancient weaving tools and looms.

During the event, the preparation of traditional carpet patterns and the carpet weaving process were demonstrated live. Household and decorative items reflecting ancient customs and traditions also formed an engaging part of the festival. The various handcrafted works presented by young people with disabilities attracted particular interest and were highly appreciated.

Within the framework of the festival, master classes were conducted by master craftsmen and students specializing in decorative and applied arts.

Accompanied by national dances and musical performances, the festival created a lively and uplifting atmosphere and served as a source of inspiration for young specialists.

It should be noted that the festival makes a significant contribution to the 10th Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations (Reduced Inequalities).