Living heritage at the International Carpet Festival of Baku

May’s International Carpet Festival in Baku put traditional craftsmanship at the heart of contemporary life

The International Carpet Festival, held from 1 to 3 May, brought together thousands of local visitors and international guests, offering a fresh and engaging way to experience the country’s rich carpet heritage.

This spring, Baku has been very much in the spotlight, with the historic centre of the Azerbaijani capital becoming a lively cultural space filled with colour, creativity and tradition

A Living Exhibition in Baku’s Old City

At the heart of the event was Icherisheher, Baku’s ‘Old City’, where narrow streets, stone buildings and historic caravanserais were transformed into an open-air exhibition. Carpets were displayed across squares, courtyards and even along the walls, creating a unique atmosphere where history and modern life came together naturally. Visitors walking through could watch artisans at work and take part in workshops showing how carpets are carefully created from start to finish.

Tradition Meets Global Dialogue

The festival officially opened at the Baku Business Centre, where an international forum focused on the industry and its future. Experts, designers and professionals from different nations gathered to exchange ideas and discuss how traditional craftsmanship can find its place in global markets.

The discussions highlighted not only the cultural importance of carpets but also their growing role in design, branding and economic development.

Across the city, artisans from Azerbaijan and abroad presented their own weaving traditions, creating a strong sense of cultural exchange.

Guests were welcomed from countries including Kyrgyzstan, Albania, Belgium, Nepal, Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Türkiye, Morocco, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Dagestan, the UAE, Italy, Mexico, Turkmenistan, Japan, the United Kingdom and Tatarstan. Their participation was an asset to both forum presentations and national pavilions.

Cultural Exchange and a Living Heritage

Visitors could also enjoy creative installations, performances and interactive spaces. Much talked about were the festival’s mascots, the ‘carpeted couple’ Ms Ilme (Ms Knot) and Mr Irs (Mr Heritage), respectively symbolising the knot where every carpet begins and the tradition carried through generations and shaped by the hands of Azerbaijani weavers.

The festival was organised by Azerkhalcha OJSC and the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration, with the support of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and the Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO).

The event was focused on culture and economic growth, and the aim was to show that carpet weaving in Azerbaijan is not just a tradition preserved in museums, but a living art that continues to develop and stay relevant today.

More than anything, the festival created a connection between generations, cultures and ideas. It reminded visitors that carpets are not just decorative objects but carriers of history, identity and meaning.

In Baku, this tradition felt alive, open and closely connected to the present.

Words by Sophio Dvalishvili