Baku: The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum recently hosted the opening ceremony of the 'Flowers in the Garden - European National Costumes and Ornaments' exhibition, marking a significant cultural event. The exhibition is a collaborative effort by the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Arts Council Azerbaijan, and the Embassies of EU Member States in Azerbaijan, as part of the sixth edition of the 'FantazEU' Cultural Heritage Festival.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the event featured speeches from prominent figures including Amina Melikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum; Marijana Kujund€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¾ic, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Azerbaijan; and Dadash Mammadov, Head of Arts Council Azerbaijan. They highlighted the exhibition's role in fostering intercultural dialogue by drawing connections between the artistic traditions of Europe and Azerbaijan, while also emphasizing shared aesthetic values.

An artistic program accompanied the event, featuring performances of Flamenco and Azerbaijani national dances by the 'Sanat' Children's Music and Arts Center dance group. Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the exhibition, which showcases 16 sets of national costumes presented by the embassies of Germany, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. These exhibits reflect the cultural diversity, historical traditions, identities, and ornamental characteristics of these European nations.

In addition to the European exhibits, the exhibition includes Azerbaijani national costumes from the museum's collection. These costumes represent the history and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan, alongside the Flowers in the Garden and Alpan carpets. By juxtaposing European and Azerbaijani cultural heritage, the exhibition underlines the universal aesthetic values inherent in ornament and pattern.

The primary aim of the exhibition is to introduce Azerbaijani audiences to European national costumes that exemplify centuries-old craftsmanship traditions. It also seeks to demonstrate the artistic and cultural parallels between European and Azerbaijani decorative and applied arts, promoting intercultural dialogue and highlighting the importance of preserving and promoting national heritage.