The Azerbaijan Carpet museum hosted the presentation of the book “Pazyryk Carpet. The World of Symbols”

On March 7, “Pazyryk carpet. The World of Symbols” book presentation by Mammadhuseyn Huseynov, the carpet artist, Associate Professor of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts was held in the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. Abulfas Garayev, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts and the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, attended the event.

Speaking at the event, Shirin Melikova, Director of the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, Chair of ICOM Azerbaijan National Committee, PhD in Arts, noted that this book is not only a great contribution to the Azerbaijani Carpet Weaving Science but also a valuable and profound source for studying Carpet Art, which is a symbol of the Turkic world, a monument of our spiritual and material culture. “This carpet, known throughout the world as Pazyryk, is sacred for the Turkic world. The multifaceted values of ornaments, the excellent and precise design, and the fact that the colors have remained vivid for centuries indicate a high level this art’s development in ancient times,” ‒ Shirin Melikova added.

She noted that the author has been working on this book for many years, that he put forward many facts and interesting ideas. “It’s hard to imagine that this carpet is 2500 years old and it has been examined since 1949, since its discovery. Taking into account the different approaches in this research, the author proves that this carpet belongs to the Turkic peoples,” Shirin Melikova noted.

She thanked the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan for undertaking the book’s splendid design and printing. She also stressed the importance of this book’s publication in the English language to communicate to a wider audience. She noted that this is an appropriate response to our regional neighbors, infringe upon our geographical, cultural and spiritual boundaries, striving to appropriate our national, cultural and material heritage. Shirin Melikova noted that several museum exhibits were also presented in this book.

Abulfas Garayev, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, speaking about this book’s significance, noted the importance of promoting of such works in the international arena. He noted that as a result of a deliberate policy pursued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the carpet weaving art is developing in the country. “The inclusion of Azerbaijani Carpet Art into UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010 and the inauguration of the new building of the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum in 2014 are the results of the efforts by the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva. The Executive Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to approve the “State Program for the Preservation and Development of Carpet Art in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2018-2022” proves that our state pays particular attention to this field,” minister added.

Dr. Teymur Bunyadov, Professor, a full member of ANAS, Omar Eldarov, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, a full member of ANAS, Rector of Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, Nizami Jafarov, The MP, a full member of ANAS, Agali Ibragimov, Secretary of Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, speaking on the event, noted that this book is a worthy scientific work on the carpet weaving history in Azerbaijan. They congratulated the author on the occasion of this book’s publication as a successful scientific work devoted to the Pazyryk carpet’s study.

Mammadhuseyn Huseynov, carpet artist, Associate Professor of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, author of “Pazyryk carpet. The world of Symbols” book, thanked the management of the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum for organizing the event, as well as all participants.