Leyla Aliyeva met with women engaged in mat weaving in Masally district

Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Association Leyla Aliyeva, during her visit to the Masally district, met with women engaged in mat weaving in the village of Musakuche.

During the meeting, Leyla Aliyeva spoke with participants of the Rooted Hands project, which is one of the last communities preserving the traditional art of mat weaving in our country, and familiarized herself with their handicrafts and creative activities.

It should be noted that women from the village of Musakuche in the Masally district collect natural reed plants, dry them, and hand-weave mat samples using traditional methods passed down from generation to generation. This craft is of great importance both in terms of preserving the cultural heritage of the region and supporting women's employment and their economic sustainability.

During the warm meeting, the women demonstrated the mat weaving process. Leyla Aliyeva also wove mats together with them, showing keen interest in the intricacies of this ancient craft. A short film dedicated to the art of mat weaving and the Rooted Hands project was then screened.

With the support of Leyla Aliyeva, a renovated space was created for the women. It is intended for their work, organizing training sessions and master classes, as well as displaying and selling handmade products. The initiative will contribute to the creation of a new cultural and tourist site in Masally, while simultaneously expanding the financial opportunities of local women and preserving the traditional art of mat weaving.

The Rooted Hands project has already begun to be promoted at the international level as well. In 2025, the project was presented at Milan Fashion Week as part of sustainable fashion initiatives, successfully demonstrating the combination of natural materials collected from the marshy areas of Azerbaijan, the manual labor of women artisans, modern design, and traditional craftsmanship.

Detailed information about the project is available on the website and social media account:

- Website: https://www.rootedhands.az/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedhands.az