Baku: On November 25, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum will host the presentation of “The New Story of Kelaghayi” project. The event marks the 11th anniversary of the Azerbaijani kelaghayi’s inclusion in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the project will feature the Magic of Silk clothing collection by designer Gulnara Khalilova. Khalilova is the Head of the Azerbaijani National Clothing Center, a member of the Eurasian Ethnodesigners Association, holds a PhD in Art Studies, and is the creator of the CIZGI brand. Her collection aims to reveal the poetic shades of silk, merging the kelaghayi’s meanings with contemporary fashion aesthetics. The garments’ patterns and color transitions symbolize the connection of the kelaghayi with women’s destiny, cultural memory, and national identity.
The event will also include an exhibition of historical and modern kelaghayis from the museum’s collection. Additionally, museum specialists will conduct a masterclass on kelaghayi-making, highlighting its traditional crafting techniques.
This presentation seeks to bridge the kelaghayi’s ancient spirit with modern creativity, showcasing it as an evolving artistic language. The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and is a collaboration between the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum and the Gulnara Khalilova fashion house.