Another important feature of the Karabakh carpets was their large size ( up to 30 m 2 !), more than in any other region of Azerbaijan . This was explained by the spacious dwellings and interiors traditional for Karabakh , which require carpets of appropriate size . People started to weave carpet sets called Dast Khali Gaba that became a trend in local carpet weaving . The set consisted of one large carpet and several side pieces , which together formed a single ensemble . Due to the high price , this product was not available to everyone , which only increased its prestige .
Karabakh carpets are kept in many museums around the world . It ’ s the Victoria and Albert Museum , the Louvre Museum , the Textile Museum of Canada , the Textile Museum at the George Washington University , the Philadelphia Museum of Art , the Burrell Museum in Glasgow , the Dresden Museum of Ethnography , the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam , the Reitberg Museum in Zurich , the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest , and the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Zagreb .
Our museum preserves a rich collection of Karabakh carpets , almost all ornamental types are presented here , and the collection is constantly replenished with new ancient , rare samples .
►What are the principles of the collections ? - Each museum has a specific collection strategy . Since my arrival we have developed a new strategy . Our team has monitored 7 collections and identified gaps that need to be filled . As soon as we find somewhere necessary exhibit , we decide the issues of its acquisition . We purchase at our own expense or attract sponsors and patrons of art . It is also not uncommon for us to receive donations from collectors .
The strategy covers not only the search and return to the homeland of ancient exhibits , but we also work with contemporary artists . We purchase their works , organise exhibitions , and promote modern carpet in order to develop this type of applied art and attract new audience , connoisseurs of this type of creativity . That is why we work not only with prominent artists of our time , but also with students . Every year we hold contests , weave carpets according to the sketches , and then exhibit them .
By the way , I would like to announce an international competition . This year marks the 880th anniversary of the birth of the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi . His anniversary is celebrated all over the world , and our museum will hold a carpet design competition based on Nizami ’ s works . The international jury willchoose the winner . A carpet will be woven from this sketch and presented to the general public as part of the anniversary celebrations . Detailed information will be posted on the website of our museum and its pages in social networks .
►What is your aim as the museum director ? What goals do you have ? What do you dream of ?
- Being the director of the country ’ s leading museum is not easy . In recent years , our museum has made a breakthrough in its development , starting from moving to this modern building , which already sets completely new tasks for the employees and requires certain skills . My task as a director is to determine the course of the museum ’ s development and strategy , gather the right team , be able to create conditions for the self-development of my team , unleash their potential , share my enthusiasm , teach them to work as a team , and at the same time solve many issues , from economic to scientific research .
We have achieved a lot in a short period of our joint work . We not only store exhibits , but also study them , revive old technologies , improve methods of restoration and conservation . We create the most comfortable conditions for all visitors , without exception , regardless of their age , health status and interests , and therefore the motto of our museum is “ Museum without Borders ”. Here everyone can find something new . We offer especially many leisure activities for children . These are master classes , games and quests , puppet shows by our employees . Adults can learn to weave carpets or attend a lecture on art history . Lectures relate to different spheres of applied art and are held in different languages as Azerbaijani ,
Russian , and English . A separate exposition has been developed for people with visual disabilities .
Today we are more than a museum , which performs its main functions of collecting , storing , researching and exhibiting collections . We have become a cultural and educational hub , our employees have learned to keep up with the times and we can implement serious projects in various areas of museum activities . And all this would be impossible without the participation of each employee , talents , and love for work . The director ’ s task is to find employee ’ s talents and help realise them . For me , friendly , creative atmosphere in the team is very important . I want all the departments of the museum to interact with each other and there is no disunity and negligence in their duties . Everything is based on a clear understanding of their tasks by each employee , discipline and love for work . The goal is the prosperity of our museum . A museum is a complex living organism , and it is necessary to organise it in such a way that it works in unison and with a constant prospect of even greater development .
I dream that there will always be peace and prosperity in our country . We jointly restore the destroyed Karabakh , so that this grateful land will become the centre of cultural life . We are planning to restore the branch of our museum in Shusha .
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