Azernews.Az

Azerbaijani carpet expert, Doctor of Arts, Professor Roya Taghiyeva has been awarded the international JIAPICH Prize 2024 in South Korea, Azernews reports.

The Jeonju International Awards for Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage (JIAPICH) aims to encourage the model safeguarding practices of ICH in the global community regardless of nationality , ethnicity, religion, race, age, gender, or any other political, social, economic or cultural orientation.

It is the only annual international award in the world that assesses activities aimed at preserving and protecting intangible cultural heritage, supporting social unity and national identity, as well as promoting the further development of international communities.

This award was established in 2017 at the initiative of the city of Jeonju, renowned for its unique traditional culture.

In his speech at the award ceremony, Jeonju Mayor Beom-ki Woo emphasized the importance of encouraging all initiatives to protect and transmit intangible cultural heritage to future generations and noted the readiness to support those who "stand shoulder to shoulder" with them on this path, spreading their positive experiences around the world.

According to him, Azerbaijani carpet expert, Doctor of Arts, and Professor Roya Taghiyeva was awarded the JIAPICH for her efforts to preserve the art of carpet weaving and engage the younger generation of Azerbaijan, as well as her significant role in promoting Azerbaijani carpet culture worldwide.

Roya Taghiyeva is the chairperson of the Azerbaijani Carpet Makers' Union.

She organizes various exhibitions, and makes significant contributions to the promotion of Azerbaijan's intangible cultural heritage, which is part of the global intangible cultural heritage, said Beom-Ki Woo.

Chair of the international award's jury, Professor Gilad Zuckerma, noted in his speech that if one were to add a single letter to the phrase by the famous Roman poet Horace, Carpe Diem (Seize the day), the words would become Carpet Diem (Live the Carpet), which could perfectly apply to the life and work of Professor Roya Taghieva.

In turn, Professor Roya Taghiyeva, while discussing the efforts to preserve intangible cultural heritage in her country, first mentioned the name of her teacher, the founder of the world's first Carpet Museum, Latif Karimov.

She stressed that the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, paid special attention to the museum, Azerbaijani carpets, and the development of carpet weaving during various periods of his leadership. Under relevant decrees by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, new buildings for the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum have been constructed, along with carpet factories and workshops in the regions. Training of specialists has been expanded.

At the initiative of the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, in 2010, Azerbaijani carpets were included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and exhibitions of Azerbaijani carpets have been held in prestigious exhibition halls around the world.

Today, alongside traditional carpets, modern types are being developed, new interpretations are taking shape, and platforms for innovative ideas in this field are emerging.

Roya Taghiyeva thoroughly discussed the work of the Azerbaijani Carpet Makers' Union.

She mentioned that the union is working on special programs to convey both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, including various forms of decorative and applied arts, to the younger generation.

In conclusion, Roya Taghiyeva expressed her gratitude to the jury members and organizers for considering her deserving of this award, stating that she accepted it with pride as a recognition of Azerbaijani culture and intangible cultural heritage.

Founded in 1967, the National Carpet Museum holds more than 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets.

Initiated by eminent carpet artist Latif Karimov, the museum is beautiful inside and out.

The museum's new building is designed in the form of a rolled carpet. Now, the museum hosts multiple events, including international symposiums, conferences, and various exhibitions.

In 2019, the museum received national status for its significant contribution to promoting Azerbaijani carpet weaving art.

In 2020, the Carpet Museum enriched its collection with a beautiful pile of carpets purchased by the Culture Ministry at the Sartirana Textile Show in Italy.

The 19th-century Guba carpet "Ugakh" was donated to the Carpet Museum, while the Garabagh carpet "Chelebi" enriched the collection of the museum's Shusha branch.

For four years, the Carpet Museum won the Travellers' Choice Awards. The award proves once again that the professional activity of the National Carpet Museum is highly appreciated by visitors from all over the world.