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800 21st Street NW, Washington DC 20052

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Kelaghayi is a traditional Azerbaijani silk headscarf, typically square in shape and adorned with distinctive printed ornaments. It symbolizes feminine grace and dignity and has long held a cherished place in Azerbaijani culture. Historically, young women wore brightly colored kelaghayis as headscarves, while older women styled darker kelaghayis as turbans. Today, the kelaghayi remains a relevant and fashionable accessory in the wardrobe of the modern Azerbaijani woman.

The production of kelaghayi dates back to ancient times in Azerbaijan. The most renowned centers of kelaghayi-making were Basgal and Ganja, whose products were highly prized and exported as early as the Middle Ages. Each region developed its own characteristic patterns, making it possible to identify the origin of a kelaghayi based on its ornamentation.

In 2014, UNESCO inscribed The Traditional Art and Symbolism of Kelaghayi, Its Making and Wearing on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The exhibition will feature historic and contemporary kelaghayis from the collection of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum. The kelaghayis will be displayed on the walls, while showcases will present traditional wooden printing blocks, raw silk materials, and threads used in the making of these elegant textiles.

In addition to the textile display, the exhibition will include an English-language video presentation and a book dedicated to the art and cultural significance of the Azerbaijani kelaghayi.

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