First-ever ‘Carpets-Pearls of Azerbaijan’ exhibition hosted by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Seoul

On Nov. 26, 2018 first ever Azerbaijan Carpet Exhibition named “Carpets-Pearls of Azerbaijan” organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Korea and Korea Foundation with the support of “Azerkhalcha” OJSC launched in Seoul. Exhibition is held at the KF Gallery and will be open till December 19^th. 18 precious carpets of 9 carpet weaving schools of Azerbaijan will be displayed at the exhibition.

On Nov. 28, 2018 Opening Reception of the Exhibition was held with the participation of President of Korea Foundation Mr. Sihyung Lee, Heads of Diplomatic Missions accredited in Seoul, Government officials, public figures, representatives of cultural centers, universities, leading companies and local media representatives.

On his opening remarks, Mr.Sihyung Lee, welcomed everyone at the opening ceremony of the “Carpets, Pearls of Azerbaijan” exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

He also mentioned that, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Korea in 1992, the two sides have steadily engaged in cooperative efforts in such significant fields as the economy, governance, legislation, and defense and that the Korea Foundation was very glad to have the opportunity to introduce and focus on the art and culture of Azerbaijan, which up until now, the Korean public might be somewhat unfamiliar with.

Mr. Lee stressed that the exhibition which is being held in cooperation with the Azerbaijani Embassy in Korea, will showcase the history and exception value of Azerbaijani carpets, which were added to the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. “The ancient art of Azerbaijani carpet weavers has survived and matured up to the present day, and this exhibition will be testimony of Azerbaijan’s artistic and cultural heritage”-he added.

At his opening remarks Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ramzi Teymurov welcomed the guests on the first ever Azerbaijani Carpet Exhibition honoring the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and conveyed some facts about Azerbaijan carpets:

• “Traditional art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving in the Republic of Azerbaijan” has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in 2010.

• Established in 1967 State Museum of Azerbaijan Carpet and Applied Art was the first ever specialized museum of carpets in the world.

• Ancient Azerbaijani carpets are stored at the White House, the U.S. State Department, and many other museums across the world, including Louvre, in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Museum of Art in Philadelphia, as well as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and Hermitage in St. Petersburg.

Ambassador emphasized that promotion of Azerbaijani carpets internationally has been under the close attention of the President H.E.Ilham Aliyev and H.E. Mehriban Aliyeva, the First Vice President of Azerbaijan and President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in past years and today Azerbaijani Government proceeds new policy of expansion of carpet production in Azerbaijan and expand the geography of carpet export countries which includes Korea as well.

The exhibition will be open to public till Dec. 19, 2018 at the KF Gallery on weekdays at 11:00-20:00, on Saturday at 11:00-17:00. On Sundays and on public holidays the exhibition will be closed.