The opening ceremony of the international exhibition ”Climate and Carpets” took place on November 15 at the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum.
As Day.Az reports with reference to AZERTAC, the exhibition dedicated to the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) was organized jointly with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
In their speeches, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mexico to Azerbaijan Maria Victoria Romero Caballero, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for relations with international organizations to achieve sustainable development goals Boris Titov, Deputy Director General of the UN Office in Geneva Lidia Grigorieva, founder of the 365 ART gallery Olga Daniel thanked organizers for the invitation and noted the great interest in the exhibition, emphasizing its significance as a unique cultural initiative.
In a conversation with an AZERTAC correspondent, the director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Amina Melikova, spoke in more detail about the project. “Today an unusual exhibition dedicated to the Azerbaijani carpet has opened. It is distinguished by the fact that it presents an Azerbaijani carpet, created in compliance with all the canons of carpet weaving and the correct patterns, but made in different techniques. The works are presented by both professional artists and children. This is a great experience for children , because they are creative individuals who plan to become artists. We will be happy if one of them becomes a carpet artist in the future.
In general, the exhibition is a dedication to the COP29 event, because today the pulse of all Azerbaijanis and people who love Azerbaijan beats in unison. We are very glad that the exhibition has aroused such interest,” emphasized Amina Melikova.
The purpose of the exhibition is to attract the attention of viewers to the importance of combating climate change, a healthy lifestyle, solving environmental problems and protecting the environment through the works of contemporary artists based on the ancient traditions of the Azerbaijani people.
The exhibition “Climate and Carpets” featured works by famous artists from Azerbaijan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico and Russia, inspired by Azerbaijani carpet art and its traditional patterns. For the first time, visitors saw the joint work “Born in Fire” by the famous Russian actress, director, artist, singer and TV presenter Natalya Bochkareva. Also presented here were works by North Park University professor Nnenna Okore (Chicago), Mexican artist Pedro Cesar Peralta, artist, founder of the YARAT Center for Contemporary Art and the CHELEBI brand Aida Mahmudova, honored artists of Azerbaijan Taryer Bashirov and Faig Ahmed, honored cultural worker Elmira Abbasly, artists Mamed Rashidov, Milena Nabieva, Mahar Maharramov, Tarana Aliyeva and students of boarding school for integration education number 11 in the village of Bilgya. The works of boarding school students are made of wool, metal, bioplastic, gauze, fiber, sawdust, waste, etc.
As part of the event, a ceremony was held to cut the carpet “Green World” by the honored artist Taryer Bashirov, dedicated to COP29 and woven in the Department of Traditional Technologies of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum.
The exhibition will last until November 30.
How does the “Climate and Carpets” exhibition promote sustainability through traditional carpet weaving techniques?
Title: Weaving Sustainability: An Interview with Amina Melikova on the ”Climate and Carpets” Exhibition
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Amina Melikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum! We’re excited to discuss the recent ”Climate and Carpets” exhibition that opened in Baku. Congratulations on the event’s success!
Amina Melikova: Thank you! It’s a pleasure to be here. We’re thrilled with the reception of the exhibition and its unique theme.
Time.news Editor: The exhibition is linked to COP29. Can you elaborate on how the themes of climate change and carpet weaving intersect in this initiative?
Amina Melikova: Absolutely! At its core, the exhibition highlights how traditional craftsmanship can respond to contemporary global challenges like climate change. Carpets are not just artistic expressions; they are repositories of cultural heritage and can reflect our environmental values. We aimed to showcase how sustainable practices can be integrated into traditional art forms, inspiring others to consider sustainable approaches in their own fields.
Time.news Editor: That’s fascinating! You mentioned that the carpets displayed were created using various techniques by both professional artists and children. What was the motivation behind including young artists?
Amina Melikova: Engaging children in this initiative was crucial. We believe in nurturing creativity from a young age, and by involving them, we provide a platform for educational growth. Children are the future, and exposing them to the rich traditions of Azerbaijani carpet weaving might inspire one of them to pursue it as a career—what a legacy that would be!
Time.news Editor: It sounds like you’re fostering a new generation of artists. What specific techniques or designs can visitors look forward to seeing at the exhibition?
Amina Melikova: Visitors will find a stunning array of carpets that incorporate traditional patterns along with innovative techniques. Each piece tells a story, blending the past with present-day creativity. We have everything from classic motifs to contemporary interpretations that emphasize environmental themes. This blend is intended to spark dialog about cultural heritage and sustainability.
Time.news Editor: That’s a great point. Speaking of dialog, how has the international audience responded to the exhibition? What kind of conversations have emerged?
Amina Melikova: The response has been overwhelmingly positive! Our international guests, including diplomats and representatives from various countries, expressed great interest in how a cultural initiative can promote awareness of climate issues. The exhibition has sparked discussions about the role of arts in fostering environmental consciousness and demonstrating how cultural events can contribute to global sustainability goals.
Time.news Editor: It’s impressive to see art bridging cultural heritage and current global issues. Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the exhibition’s impact now and in the future?
Amina Melikova: I hope the exhibition serves as a catalyst for further collaborations between culture and climate advocacy. It’s about creating lasting awareness of our environmental responsibilities while celebrating our cultural achievements. In the future, I envision this exhibition evolving and possibly inspiring similar initiatives that combine arts with social responsibility, not just in Azerbaijan but globally.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Amina, for your insights. It’s inspiring to see how traditional crafts can contribute to discussions on sustainability. We wish you the best as the exhibition continues!
Amina Melikova: Thank you! We appreciate your support and hope many people visit to learn and be inspired by the intersection of culture and climate action.