The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum opened an exhibition called Woven into History during the Baku 2026 World Judo Championships, linking the championships' opening ceremony to the country's carpet-weaving tradition.
Eight opening-ceremony costumes
Eight costumes worn during the opening ceremony were displayed alongside the historic Azerbaijani carpets that inspired their design. They were created by designer Laman Suleymanova, who reinterpreted the colours, motifs and craftsmanship of carpet weaving in a contemporary stage setting.
The costumes stay in the museum
The costumes were made for the opening ceremony and donated by the Azerbaijan Judo Federation to the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, so that part of the cultural programme presented during the championships is preserved rather than stored away after the event.
The exhibition opened in the presence of guests including IJF Secretary General Dr Lisa Allan and IJF Governance and Strategy Director Estony Pridgeon.
Exhibition dates
Woven into History ran in the museum's exhibition hall from 10:00 to 18:00 daily until 11 October, the closing day of the championships.
The museum's own collection documents Azerbaijani carpet weaving, one of the country's best-known crafts, and the exhibition placed that tradition beside an international sports event hosted in the same city.
