Speakers

Emin Mammadov

Chairman of the Board of "Azerkhalcha" OJSC | Honored Art Worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan | Curator of the International Carpet Festival

Emin Mammadov is an Azerbaijani artist, curator, and cultural leader. He is the founder of QGallery (Baku and Berlin), Associate Professor at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, and Chairman of the Board of "Azerkhalcha" OJSC, a position he has held since March 18, 2021. Officially recognized as an Honored Art Worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan, he is also the curator and founding author of the International Carpet Festival. Under his leadership, "Azerkhalcha" has advanced initiatives that bridge traditional Azerbaijani carpet weaving with contemporary artistic practices and international cultural engagement.

Rufat Mahmud

Chairman of the Board of the Administration of the State Historical-Architectural Reserve "Icherisheher"

Rufat Mahmud is a senior executive with extensive experience in economics, public administration, and urban development. He received his education in economics, international economic relations, and public administration in Azerbaijan, the United States, and Sweden. Throughout his career, he has held a number of leadership roles across the public and corporate sectors, contributing to institutional development, strategic planning, and international cooperation. Since 2025, he has served as Chairman of the Board of the Administration of the State Historical-Architectural Reserve "Icherisheher".

Yusif Abdullayev

Executive Director of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan – AZPROMO

Yusif Ikram oglu Abdullayev was born on 5 June 1983 in the city of Aghdam. In 1999, he entered Baku State University and studied for a bachelor's degree in international law. He started his professional career between 2004 and 2007, working in sales, insurance, and logistics. From 2007 to 2015, he directed the export department of Azersun Holding. From December 2015 to 1 June 2018, he served as Vice President of AZPROMO; on 1 June 2018, he was assigned to the position of AZPROMO President, and on 8 October 2021, as part of AZPROMO's reorganization, he was appointed to the position of the Agency's Executive Director.

Saadat Yusifova

Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, PhD in Law

Saadat Yusifova is a legal scholar and public official with extensive experience in public administration, strategic planning, and government affairs. She graduated from the Faculty of Law at Baku State University and later pursued postgraduate studies in law at Robert Schuman University in Strasbourg, France. Throughout her professional career, she has held a number of senior positions within the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, gaining significant expertise in legal affairs, political analysis, strategic planning, and communication. Since 2023, she has served as Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, contributing to the development and implementation of the country's cultural policy.

Laurine Malengreau

Contemporary Textile Artist

Laurine Malengreau is an award-winning Belgian artist working in the field of contemporary textile art. After studying art history and working in cultural management, she began training in the Nuno Silk technique in Madrid in 2009. Based in Aubusson, a renowned centre of tapestry and contemporary textile art, she has continued the tradition of wall hangings for more than 14 years. Her work is appreciated by art collectors and interior designers around the world.

Dr. Maria del Carmen Avendano Rito

Researcher in Conservation Sciences, Member of Mexico's National System of Researchers (SNI)

Dr. Maria del Carmen Avendano Rito is a Zapotec scholar from the Istmo de Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. She holds a doctorate in Conservation Sciences from the National Polytechnic Institute and is a member of Mexico's National System of Researchers. Her work bridges indigenous knowledge systems and contemporary textile heritage, with a particular focus on the artisan communities of Oaxaca, including the weavers of Teotitlán del Valle and the embroidery traditions of the Istmo de Tehuantepec. Her research explores cultural resilience, community-based tourism, and women's empowerment through craft, with a strong commitment to safeguarding living cultural heritage in global contexts.

Tarik Sadik

Chief Executive Officer of La Maison de l'Artisan

Tarik Sadik is the Chief Executive Officer of La Maison de l'Artisan, the Moroccan public institution responsible for promoting the handicraft sector. He studied at Mohammed V University of Sciences in Rabat and at Laval University in Canada, where he earned both an MBA and a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning. Before joining La Maison de l'Artisan, he held several senior positions within Morocco's tourism sector, including Director of Strategy and Cooperation in the Department of Tourism. Since 2020, he has led institutional efforts to support and promote Moroccan craftsmanship at the national and international levels.

Nasir Al Darmaki

Vice President of the International Council of Museums (ICOM)

Nasir Al Darmaki brings 20 years of experience in curation, museum strategy, and cultural heritage management. He began his career at the Sharjah Museums Authority and later moved into strategic planning across its museum network. He currently serves as Deputy Director of the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah, where he oversees professional development programmes and cultural heritage preservation initiatives across the Arab region. In November 2025, he was elected Vice President of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), contributing to global heritage policy and international advocacy from the organisation's headquarters in Paris.

Luca Emilio Brancati

Tapetologist, Certified Expert and Appraiser of Carpets and Tapestries

Luca Emilio Brancati is an Italian tapetologist, certified expert, and appraiser of carpets and tapestries, officially registered with the Chamber of Commerce of Turin. His research focuses on Oriental carpets, war rugs, and the representation of carpets in painting, combining art-historical inquiry with material and technical analysis. He has curated and advised numerous exhibitions in Italy and internationally, while also collaborating with leading museums and cultural institutions. An established author, lecturer, and consultant, he has published extensively on carpet history, iconography, and conservation.

Fahri Solak

Mayor of Sultanhanı, Aksaray, and Owner of Sultansaray Halı

Fahri Solak is an experienced public administrator with more than 10 years of expertise in local governance, public policy, and strategic planning. He has played a leading role in the institutional development of Sultanhanı following its transition to district status, overseeing projects focused on infrastructure, cultural heritage preservation, and local economic growth. He has significant experience in public–private partnerships, team leadership, project supervision, and national and international representation. In addition to his public role, as the owner of Sultansaray Halı, he is actively engaged in traditional carpet weaving, historical textiles, and restoration practices at both national and international levels.

Jeyhun Alibayov

Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Azerkhalcha OJSC

Jeyhun Alibayov studied calligraphy and drawing at the Azerbaijan State School of Fine Arts, and later specialised in graphic arts at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. Combining both creative and managerial expertise in his professional career, he has held senior leadership positions in local and international corporate environments for 15 years. He has extensive experience in strategy development, project management and implementation, financial management, sales, and marketing.

Dinara Asanbayeva

Executive Director of Kyrgyz Handmade

Dinara Asanbayeva is the Executive Director of Kyrgyz Handmade, a company that unites more than 200 artisans across Kyrgyzstan and promotes traditional craftsmanship in international markets. Her connection to culture was shaped during her studies in China, where living far from home deepened her awareness of identity and tradition. Today, she focuses on reinterpreting Kyrgyz craftsmanship for the modern world, preserving its depth while aligning it with contemporary needs. For her, this work is more than a profession; it is a personal commitment to sustaining and sharing a meaningful craft across generations.

Ramesh Prasad Dawadi

Chair of the International Council of Museums – National Committee of Nepal (ICOM Nepal)

Ramesh Prasad Dawadi is a museum professional, legal advocate, and cultural heritage specialist with over 25 years of legal experience and more than 15 years in the museum sector. He currently serves as Chair of ICOM Nepal, where he provides strategic leadership and advances museum standards, ethics, and museum-specific legislation. He is the founder of the Living Traditions Museum in Changunarayan and the Dudhpokhari Museum in Lamjung, where he leads community-based museum development and cultural heritage conservation, including textile and carpet conservation. His work also includes policy advocacy, research, and public awareness in the field of museums and heritage governance in Nepal.

Geordie Greig

Editor-in-Chief of The Independent

Geordie Greig is a British journalist and editor with a distinguished career in national media. Since January 2023, he has served as Editor-in-Chief of The Independent, one of the United Kingdom's leading digital news platforms. Prior to this, he held senior editorial positions at the Daily Mail, the Mail on Sunday, and the Evening Standard, and is widely recognized for his influential role in British journalism. His work continues to shape editorial dialogue across politics, culture, and public life in the UK and beyond.

Maryam Gafurova

Founder of Tumar Carpets

Maryam Gafurova is an entrepreneur and the founder of Tumar Carpets, a gallery of handmade rugs with locations in Almaty and Astana. She specializes in the study of Turkmen tribal ornaments, their symbolism, and their cultural significance. With a background in business and a Master's degree focused on marketing and cultural identity, she recognized the potential of promoting traditional carpet weaving through modern communication channels. Tumar Carpets serves both as a gallery and as a platform connecting artisans with collectors seeking authentic handmade works.

Dr. Sumiyo Okumura

Founder of SOAC Art Consultancy & Curation

Sumiyo Okumura is a historian of Islamic and Turkish art and the founder of SOAC Art Consultancy & Curation. She studied in Kyoto and Istanbul, completing her PhD in Turkish and Islamic Art at Marmara University, where her research focused on the influence of Turkic culture on Mamluk carpets. She has worked with major cultural institutions, including the Topkapı Palace Museum, the Turkish Cultural Foundation, and the Odunpazarı Modern Museum. In 2025, she organised the digital exhibition and colloquium Beauty and Prestige: Ottoman Carpets and Poland at the Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów, Poland.

Asmar Babayeva

Chair of the ICOM Azerbaijan National Committee | Creative Director and Member of the Board of Directors of Azerkhalcha OJSC

Asmar Babayeva is an Azerbaijani art historian, associate professor, artist, and cultural manager with broad experience in museum practice, creative industries, and cultural heritage development. Since 2024, she has served as Chair of the ICOM Azerbaijan National Committee. As Creative Director of "Azerkhalcha" OJSC, she contributes to the development and international promotion of Azerbaijani carpet art and cultural initiatives. Her career includes academic work, exhibition and project coordination, and active involvement in both national and international cultural programmes.

Olga Latysheva

Art Historian & Communications Specialist | Head of Regional Corporate Communications | MGIMO University Lecturer

Olga Latysheva is an art historian and communications specialist. She currently serves as Head of Regional Corporate Communications and Curator of the Regional Corporate Art Collection at an international financial organization in Russia. Olga has held senior management roles across several multinational companies. In addition, she is a lecturer at the School of Business and International Competencies at MGIMO University under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

Nigar Ismayilzada

Art and Marketing Coordinator of the International Carpet Festival

Nigar Ismayilzada is a marketing professional with 8 years of experience in strategic marketing, public relations, and event management across the hospitality and cultural sectors. For the past three years, she has been a member of the International Carpet Festival organizing committee, contributing to the planning, coordination, and promotion of the festival. As a marketing specialist, she brings expertise in brand partnerships, content development, and audience engagement, with a strong focus on cultural communication and event visibility.