Baku: The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum has inaugurated a new exhibition titled ‘The World of Tajik Embroidery’, showcasing the intricate and historical art form from Tajikistan. This exhibition, which opened on September 25, is a collaborative effort with the National Museum of Tajikistan.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the event featured speeches from notable figures, including Amina Malikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum; Ilkhom Abdurakhmon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tajikistan to Azerbaijan; Member of Parliament Aydin Mirzazade, head of the Azerbaijan-Tajikistan interparliamentary working group; and Zafarsho Ibrokhimzoda Safo, Director of the National Museum of Tajikistan. The speakers emphasized the longstanding friendship and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, marking the exhibition as a new phase of cultural cooperation between the two nations.
The opening ceremony was enriched by an artistic program featuring performances of Tajik folk songs and dances. Ashiq Samira and Ashiq Ali performed ‘Dilbar’, while People’s Artist Gulyanaq Mammadova sang ‘Shodu-shod’, accompanied by a dance by Vusala Babayeva. Young pianist Firuz Juraev presented Scherzo by the renowned Tajik composer Miratullo Atoev.
The exhibition provides Azerbaijani visitors with an opportunity to explore Tajik embroidery, a significant form of decorative and applied art that embodies the aesthetic ideals and spiritual values of the Tajik people. The collection showcases works by masters from various Tajik cities and regions, including Khujand, Istaravshan, Kulob, Panjakent, Rasht, and Badakhshan.
On display are 56 unique exhibits from the Golden Treasury of the National Museum of Tajikistan, including suzani, chakan dresses, popurduzi, blankets, small suzani, prayer rugs, embroidered men’s waistbands (miyonband), mirror covers (oinakhalta), fabric wall embroidery, and tablecloths. The suzani collection, noted for its vibrant colors and intricate ornaments, is a highlight of the exhibition.
Tajik embroidery serves as a reflection of the people’s artistic taste and worldview, with each pattern symbolizing various elements like nature, celestial bodies, and flora. The embroideries feature floral and geometric patterns, as well as epigraphic and calligraphic motifs.
The exhibition also brings attention to chakan, a unique form of Tajik embroidery recognized by UNESCO in 2018 as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, and the National Museum of Tajikistan, the exhibition fosters cultural dialogue between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. It follows the tradition of cultural exchanges, such as ‘The National Heritage of Azerbaijan: Living in Pearls of Art’ exhibition held in Dushanbe on May 20, 2025. Residents and visitors in Baku are encouraged to experience the rich heritage and craftsmanship of the Tajik people.
The exhibition will remain open to the public until October 25.