Azerbaijan’s national stand opens at Uzbekistan’s museum PHOTO

A permanent stand dedicated to Azerbaijani crafts has opened at the International Handicrafts Museum in Uzbekistan’s Kokand city as part of the project of the Azerbaijani Cultural Centre named after Heydar Aliyev.

The leadership of the Fergana region, the head of the administration of Kokand city, other officials, public figures, journalists, students attended the event, according to Azertac.

In his opening speech, mayor of Kokand city Maruf Usmanov spoke about the high level of relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. While speaking about the ancient history of Kokand city and the widespread development of crafts here, he noted that craftsmen from more than 70 countries are taking part in the International Handicrafts Festival, which is held in the city every two years.

Usmanov noted that handicrafts of famous craftsmen from different countries, including China, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, and India are showcased at the International Handicrafts Museum, opened as part of the festival this year. He added that the museum will constantly demonstrate Azerbaijani handicrafts.

While speaking at the event, Director of the Azerbaijan Cultural Centre named after Heydar Aliyev in Uzbekistan Samir Abbasov spoke about the successful development of cooperation between the two countries and the work carried out to expand cultural ties.

He noted that the exhibition in which Azerbaijani exhibits are showcased as part of the events on the occasion of the “Year of Heydar Aliyev” creates conditions for widespread promotion of the Azerbaijani national culture among hundreds of thousands of tourists and festival participants.

The diplomat also reminded that two cities of the Fergana region of Uzbekistan - Kokand and Rishtan became twin cities with Azerbaijan’s Sheki and Ismayilli cities.

While speaking at the event, director of the International Handicrafts Museum of Kokand, Khairulla Zakirov and head of the Hunarmand Association in the Fergana region Rasul Mirzaakhmedov noted that the permanent exhibition demonstrating the ancient history, rich culture and talent of Azerbaijani craftsmen will be of interest to Uzbek visitors and numerous tourists visiting Kokand.

In particular, a 130-year-old Karabakh carpet of Azerbaijan, the oldest type of embroidery tekelduz, a women's headdress made of silk - kelaghayi, a wood-carved board displaying the historical centre of Icherisheher (Old City) and the Shusha fortress, a map depicting the Azerbaijani flag, dolls in national clothes, exhibits dedicated to national patterns in folk art and tea traditions of the Azerbaijani people are showcased.

Moreover, special wooden models with the image of Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev and his signature are demonstrated at the Azerbaijan stand. It is possible to see Azerbaijani national musical instruments, dances, folk games and types of wrestling, watch the process of carpet weaving and hear the performance of mugham.

The works by famous Azerbaijani poets Nizami Ganjavi, Imadaddin Nasimi, Mahammad Fuzuli, Molla Panah Vagif, Khurshidbanu Natavan and others, translated into the Uzbek language within the project of the Azerbaijan Cultural Centre are also demonstrated at the exhibition.

The exhibition of Azerbaijani handicrafts will remain open in the museum until the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year holiday, and then the exhibits will be transferred to the International Handicrafts Museum in Kokand. Azerbaijan’s stand will be demonstrated in the museum permanently, like the stands of other countries.