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SILK TRADITION PROSPERS IN AZERBAIJAN
ALONG THE SILK ROAD
Silk production is as an ancient tradition in Azerbaijan, and spring is silkworm season. The Otharashvili family in Gakh region have a long, enclosed porch that they dedicate to the care and feeding of these distinctive white larvae. Care means maintaining the right temperature and humidity in the room. Feeding means never, ever running out of mulberry branches.
RAVENOUS EATERS
Silkworms are actually larvae from the eggs of the silk moth. These chubby white worms dine nonstop on mulberry leaves for about 30 days. During this time, they grow and moult several times. Cultivating silkworms may be profitable, but for this family it would be difficult to expand their silkworm operation. Why? Because they cannot guarantee an adequate supply of fresh mulberry branches.
COCOON STAGE
Eventually, the silkworms climb a branch that is placed near them, and spin their cocoons. The silk filament is formed from the larva's saliva, which solidifies when it comes into contact with air. When fully formed, a single cocoon weighs about two grams.
next steps
The cocoons are then boiled to kill the pupae inside, dried, and bagged for sale to processors. The silk filament of a single cocoon may be up to 1.6 kilometers in length.
A POLICY OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Azerbaijan is encouraging sericulture, which keeps alive an ancient tradition while employing rural people. Silkworms are imported from China while still eggs. They are incubated for 10-15 days in a regional center and then distributed to farmers at no cost. Some 30 regions of the country are involved, with 72 farms in the Gakh region alone.
a centuries-old tradition
Azerbaijani silk know-how doesn't stop with larvae and cocoons. Processors reel the silk filament of cocoons onto spools. Producing high-quality silk cloth for the national headscarves known as kelagai is another whole industry. To this day, many stages of production are done by hand - including printing with traditional patterns and soaking in brilliant dyes. Historically, kelagai were created in Sheki and Baskal by men - usually elders. According to tradition, a woman throwing the kelagai between fighting men can stop the bloodshed, and a girl accepts a proposal of marriage by giving her kelagai to the boy.
SHEKI: SILK SHOPPING EPICENTER
The village of Sheki is known for its silk shops and outlets. Stepping into one of these colorful shops is easy. Leaving empty-handed is all but impossible.
Culture
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On July 9, the 2024 Germany-France Gender Equality Award for contributions to gender equality was presented at the residence of the German Embassy in Azerbaijan.
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The search for identity and meaning in life by modern humans is a topic recently addressed by many artists. The group exhibition "Everything Will Be Alright: Tomorrow or Someday" at YAY Gallery features works by Rasim Babayev, Elshan Baba, Orkhan Huseynov, Terlan Gorchu, Aida Mahmudova, Qafar Rzayev, Zamir Suleymanov, and CHINGIZ. This exhibition explores various aspects of truth and identity through the contemporary lens. Curated by Zahra Mammadova, the exhibition focuses on how art influences individuals.
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People seek to learn about past eras by conducting research on the internet, watching films, or being regular attendees of theatrical performances. Some periods in cultural history have not been deeply studied, and finding precise, detailed information in the Azerbaijani language is nearly impossible. One such period is the Qajar era, which lasted from 1794 to 1985.
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V "Sevil" International Women's Documentary Film Festival is held in Azerbaijan from 5 to 12 July.
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