← FORUM
International Carpet Forum 2026 (DRAFT)
CARPET INDUSTRY: VALUE CREATION, BRANDING AND GLOBAL MARKETS
The forum brings together leading experts, designers, manufacturers, cultural institutions and media representatives to explore how handmade carpets can evolve from traditional cultural heritage into competitive global products.
Key themes
- Building successful carpet collections and design strategies
- Transforming traditional craftsmanship into contemporary products
- Branding, storytelling and market positioning
- Export strategies and international distribution models
- Community-based production and sustainable development
- The role of museums, cultural institutions and media in value creation
10:00 – 10:15
Official Opening
10:00
Welcome remarks from organizers and institutional partners
10:15 – 11:30
Session 1 — Design, Collections and Product Development
Moderator: Olga Latysheva
10:15 – 10:30
Laurine Malengreau Belgium
How to Turn Artisan Craftsmanship into Artwork for the International Art Market
10:30 – 10:45
Prof. Dr. Maria Del Carmen Avendano Rito Mexico
Textile Traditions, Identity and Contemporary Relevance in Global Context
10:45 – 11:00
Nasir Al Darmaki UAE
Museums as Catalysts for the Global Carpet Brand
11:00 – 11:15
Luca Emilio Brancati Italy
Value Creation in the Carpet Industry: Branding, Storytelling and Global Markets
11:15 – 11:30
Fahri Solak Turkey
From Heritage to Market: Commercial Strategies in Handmade Carpets
11:30 – 11:50
Coffee Break
11:50 – 13:35
Session 2 — Production, Sustainability and Global Distribution
Moderator: Asmer Babayeva
11:50 – 12:05
Jeyhun Alibayov Azerbaijan
Azerkhalcha National Production Model: Scaling Handmade Carpet Manufacturing
12:05 – 12:20
Dinara Asanbayeva Kyrgyzstan
Community-Based Production and International Collaboration
Presentation in Russian
12:20 – 12:35
Ramesh Prasad Dawadi Nepal
Threads of Prosperity: Handmade Rug Weaving in Nepal and Its Economic Impact
12:35 – 12:50
Tarik Sadik Morocco
Supporting Artisans and Creating Value: Institutional Models for Developing the Carpet Industry
12:50 – 13:05
Geordie Greig UK
Topic TBC
13:05 – 13:20
Maryam Gafurova Kazakhstan
How to Build Meaning, Status and Cultural Value Around Carpets
13:20 – 13:35
Dr. Sumiyo Okumura Japan
Carpets in a Cross-Cultural Context: Positioning Textile Art in the Global Market
13:35 – 13:45
Closing Remarks
13:45 – 14:30
Lunch