Washington: An event dedicated to the art of Azerbaijan’s traditional silk headscarf, known as the kelagayi, was held at the Katzen Center for the Arts at American University in Washington, D.C. This event marked the 34th anniversary of the restoration of Azerbaijan’s independence. It was jointly organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan to the United States, the Ministry of Culture, and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the program featured an exhibition of ten historical and modern kelagayis from the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum’s collection. Visitors also had the opportunity to view traditional patterned printing plates, raw silk materials, and threads used in kelagayi production. A special video highlighting the art of kelagayi was screened, and a publication on the theme was presented.
Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the United States, Khazar Ibrahim, addressed the audience, noting that nearly thirty years ago, Azerbaijan was relatively unknown, but today plays a significant role in global processes. He highlighted the interconnection between Azerbaijan’s independence, the kelagayi, and the nation’s cultural wealth. Amina Malikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, mentioned that in 2014, UNESCO inscribed the art of kelagayi on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. She explained that the kelagayi represents a profound national philosophy and serves as a ‘guardian of memory’ across generations. Malikova emphasized that this was the first time the museum’s collection, including rare kelagayis from the late 18th to early 20th centuries, was showcased in Washington.
American scholar Paul Taylor spoke about the significance of the kelagayi for Azerbaijan and its national identity. He remarked on the increased importance of the kelagayi since 1991 and noted its exploration in modern art forms. Taylor expressed concern that few in the English-speaking world are familiar with this cultural treasure, which motivated him to write an article for Hali magazine to raise awareness.
The event’s artistic segment featured a solo performance by Honored Artist of Azerbaijan, pianist Nargiz Aliyarova. The concert included compositions by Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Lala Jafarova, Gara Garayev, and Faig Sujaddinov, as well as the traditional Azerbaijani folk song ‘Sari Gelin’ (Yellow Bride).