Keeping Azerbaijani Traditions Alive at Four Seasons Hotel Baku

Novruz is the most favourite and important holiday of the Azerbaijani people, marking the beginning of spring and renewal of nature. It is celebrated on the first day of spring, March 20-21 and its origin dates back to ancient times. It is the holiday that has an ongoing celebration throughout the whole month, filled with beautiful and fun traditions.

Four Seasons Hotel Baku always celebrates Novruz in a special and unique way and this year is no exception. This year, in collaboration with Azerkhalcha, Four Seasons Hotel Baku paid tribute to this enormous part of Azerbaijani roots and culture by presenting an installation out of handmade carpets in the centre of the Hotel’s lobby.

One of the most common types of folk art in Azerbaijan is carpet art. For a very long time, the older generations passed on the basics of carpet weaving to their descendants, and back in the days the ability to weave carpets was mandatory for almost every young lady.

Therefore, Azerbaijan is considered one of the world’s most ancient centres of the carpet weaving industry. UNESCO has inscribed the Azerbaijani art of carpet weaving into the Representative List of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of the World on November 17, 2010 by the initiative of the First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva.

In modern Azerbaijan carpet art and weaving is closely connected with Azerkhalcha organization, which is already about 100 years old.

“Preserving the traditions of carpet weaving is one of the main missions of Azerkhalcha. The main idea of the presented installation is respect for carpets and national traditions, as well as the use of waste from the production of carpets from which Novruz eggs are made. The idea of sustainable production is also a priority part of our work,” says Creative Director at Azerkhalcha, Asmar Abdullayeva.

The main idea of the installation by the prominent contemporary artist and sculptor Chingiz Babayev is to preserve and develop the unique traditional carpet weaving in Azerbaijan. The rolled carpets held by sculptured hands made of wax represent the care that should always be there when it comes to national traditions and roots.

The second part of the installation was inspired by one of Novruz holiday’s traditions: coloured eggs. Every March families get together before the celebration and create art by colouring boiled eggs with natural paint that comes from vegetables, fruits and even coffee.  The eggs then become a beautiful piece of décor on the festive table. The team of Azerkhalcha’s craftsmen gave a second life to the carpet leftovers and made colourful Novruz eggs out of 100 percent recycled wool.

Seeking to express his ideas through modern art, Chingiz Babayev never stops experimenting. His art pieces are presented in the Baku MOMA, and wax figures for Madame Tussauds in London.

Four Seasons Hotel Baku General Manager Bob Suri shares his thoughts: “We at Four Seasons Hotel Baku are extremely proud to have an opportunity to collaborate with Azerkhalcha and continue cultivating local traditions and artists by telling the story of Novruz celebrations to our Hotel guests. The installation will be displayed at the Hotel until March 31, 2022 and both our guests and all Bakuvians are welcomed to visit the Hotel and enjoy this beautiful art piece.”

The exciting collaboration with Azerkhalcha continues at the Hotel’s main restaurant, Zafferano. On Sunday, March 20, 2022 during the festive Novruz Brunch, Azerkhalcha will showcase a special corner dedicated to carpet waving where guests will be able to become part of this beautiful national folk art and learn how to create a carpet.

The brunch will be held between 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm and requires prior reservations, which can be made through zafferano.bku@fourseasons.com or 012 404 24 24.