BERLIN, GERMANY — Every Persian carpet tells a story. Woven through countless knots, intricate motifs and carefully chosen colors, each piece carries traces of the landscape, history and imagination from which it emerged.
More than a decorative object, it is a testament to patience, skill and a cultural heritage passed from one generation to the next.
This enduring art form took center stage in Berlin on Thursday, with the opening of the second Iranian Carpet Art Exhibition at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Organized in collaboration with the National Carpet Center of Iran and Iranian carpet traders and industry professionals in Germany, the exhibition brought together resident diplomats and admirers of Iranian culture to explore the richness and diversity of Persian handwoven carpets.
Presented in a range of patterns, designs and colors, the collection offered visitors an opportunity to appreciate the remarkable craftsmanship behind one of Iran’s most recognizsable cultural traditions.
Opening the exhibition, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Germany Majid Nili Ahmadabadi spoke of the importance of presenting Iran’s cultural heritage to international audiences through events of this kind.
He described the Persian carpet as far more than a commercial
product: a reflection of Iranian identity, history and cultural inheritance, as well as a symbol of beauty, patience, perseverance and hope.
Nili also highlighted the deep historical and civilizational roots of carpet weaving in Iran, stating that the art represents only one facet of the country’s rich cultural legacy.
His address included pointed political criticism of American warmongering and ambitions to destroy Iran’s civilization, expressing his conviction that such ambitions would ultimately fail.
The exhibition also highlighted the economic importance of Persian carpet weaving and its potential to strengthen international relationships.
Deputy for Economic Diplomacy at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hamid Ghanbari addressed the opening ceremony via video message.
He emphasized the ability of Persian carpets to establish and reinforce cultural connections between nations, alongside their potential to encourage economic cooperation and expand commercial ties.
He also announced the formation of a working group within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to identify and address obstacles to carpet exports. Iranian diplomatic missions abroad, he said, could play a more active role in introducing Persian carpets to international audiences, developing target markets and strengthening export opportunities.
Muhammad Mehdi Farshchi Movahed, head of the National Carpet Center of Iran, similarly emphasized the cultural dimensions of the craft, describing the handwoven Persian carpet as more than a commodity.
He presented it as a narrative of culture, identity, artistry and the Iranian perspective on the world, positioning the craft as a valuable resource for both cultural and economic diplomacy.
Farshchi also drew attention to the longstanding presence of Persian carpets in the German market and Germany’s established role in their appreciation, distribution and trade.
Building on this history, he called for greater use of existing opportunities to expand exports and strengthen the position of Iranian handwoven carpets in Germany.