Azerbaijan Invites Guests to a Living UNESCO World Heritage Site
From May 2 to 4, 2025, the Azerbaijani capital will become a vibrant hub of carpet art and cultural exchange. The International Carpet Festival and the accompanying Carpet Forum will gather renowned artisans, designers, scholars, and cultural professionals from around the world in Baku. Organized by Azerkhalcha OJSC and the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve, with support from the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), the International Carpet Festival will take place in the heart of Baku’s Old City from May 2 to May 4, 2025.
The aim of the festival is to showcase the rich heritage and contemporary innovation of Azerbaijani carpet weaving while fostering international dialogue in design and craftsmanship.
The festival carries special significance as it coincides with the official celebration of Azerbaijani Weavers Day on May 5. This symbolic occasion underscores the cultural importance of carpet weaving and the role of Azerbaijani artisans in preserving this rich heritage.
Festival Highlights:
May 2 – International Carpet Forum: Plenary sessions, panel discussions, B2B meetings, and youth-focused formats will bring together leading experts from the carpet and textile industry, both local and international.
May 3–4 – Open-Air Festival in the Old City of Icherisheher: Historic caravanserais, squares, and alleyways will host exhibitions, live weaving demonstrations, creative workshops, musical performances, children’s programming, and national pavilions showcasing carpet weaving traditions from across the globe.
More Information & Registration:
Participation to the forum is limited. Forum registration and the latest program updates are available at:
www.bakucarpetfest.az
Live platform from May 2:
http://www.live.bakucarpetfest.az
About Icherisheher: The historic old city of Icherisheher, also known as the “Inner City of Baku,” is one of the most iconic and visited destinations in Azerbaijan. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000 as Azerbaijan’s first cultural site and is considered the historic heart of the capital. With its centuries-old architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and majestic caravanserais, Icherisheher offers visitors an unforgettable glimpse into the Silk Road era and oriental urban heritage. In 2009, the traditional art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving was also inscribed by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The 2025 Festival will thus mark the 25th anniversary of Icherisheher’s inscription and the 15th anniversary of the recognition of Azerbaijani carpet art.
