Saida Mirziyoyeva and Mehribon Aliyeva inaugurated an exhibition showcasing Uzbek culture in Baku

Yesterday, on March 17, the exhibition titled "Heritage Living in the Loops: A Journey to Uzbekistan's Embroideries" commenced at Baku's Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan's capital. The opening ceremony was graced by Mehribon Aliyeva, the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, and Saida Mirziyoyeva, Assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, alongside the wife of Azerbaijan's President, Ilhom Aliyev. Azerbaijan's news agency "Azertac" covered the event.

During the inauguration, Anar Alakbarov, assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and director of the Haydar Aliyev Center, highlighted the thriving decades-old friendship and fraternal ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. He underscored the recent years' significant progress in bilateral relations, attributing it to the close personal bond between President Ilhom Aliyev and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Alakbarov stressed the pivotal role of cultural relations in enhancing Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan ties, recalling the successful mutual cultural events organized previously.

Alakbarov emphasized that the exhibition symbolizes the enduring friendship between the nations. He expressed gratitude to Mehribon Aliyeva, the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan and President of the Haydar Aliyev Foundation, for her support in organizing the event. He also thanked Saida Mirziyoyeva and the Uzbekistan Culture and Art Development Fund for their contributions. He highlighted the significance of the exhibition, coinciding with the recent inclusion of the "Lazgi" dance in UNESCO's cultural heritage list and the premiere of "Soul and Dance of Love." He invited visitors to explore the exhibition and Daniel Wurtzel's "Air Fountain" installation, presented earlier.

Saida Mirziyoyeva, Assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, expressed her pleasure at attending the exhibition in Azerbaijan and underscored its significance.

Mirziyoyeva emphasized the historical ties between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, citing shared centuries-old history and rich cultural traditions. She lauded the exhibition as a testament to Uzbekistan's diverse cultural heritage, historical depth, and cultural evolution, fostering mutual understanding and unity between the two peoples.

Following the speeches, Mehribon Aliyeva and Saida Mirziyoyeva visited the exhibitions "Azerbaijan carpet-loop dance" and "Dolls in art," supported by Haydar Aliyev.

Notably, the carpet collection took eight years to curate and features unique examples of artistry, such as "Yaranish," "Shikargah," and "Khon Ovu." The "Doll Art" exhibition showcases over 200 dolls, many of which are one-of-a-kind pieces with significant artistic value, having received acclaim at international puppet festivals and biennials.

Subsequently, Mehribon Aliyeva and Saida Mirziyoyeva ceremonially inaugurated the "Heritage Living in Hooks: A Journey to Uzbekistan's Embroidery" exhibition and explored the displays.

The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Fund for the Development of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan, presents over 140 decorative and practical art pieces from the country's museum collection. It offers insights into Uzbekistan's cultural-historical heritage and traditional costumes, particularly highlighting the revival of Uzbek handicrafts from the 19th to 20th centuries, with a special focus on the renowned goldsmiths of Bukhara.