The Rabat carpet, with its refinement and centuries-old history, is a jewel of Morocco’s intangible cultural heritage. The Foundation for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of Rabat, under the Effective Presidency of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, presents the exhibition “The Art of the Rabat Carpet” an invitation to discover a craft passed down through generations, woven with memory, know-how, and emotion.
The Rabat carpet is a living testament to the enduring transmission of an artisanal knowledge shaped since at least the 18th century. Its community of practice – primarily female weavers working within domestic or communal spaces – gracefully and inventively evolves an inherited art into precious objects, prized in weddings and exceptional moments.
Emerging in the late 18th century, the Rbati carpet belongs to a refined urban tradition with Oriental influences, marked by multi-banded borders and floral patterned fields. Yet it affirms a distinctive identity, shaped by the eyes, tastes, and hands of Moroccan weavers. Their creations unveil a rich ornamental repertoire where geometric and floral motifs converse in harmonies of balanced colors, refined weaving, and technical precision.
Presented at the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum in Baku, this exhibition resonates deeply in Azerbaijan, celebrating the diversity of cultural expressions linked to the art of carpet-making. This dialogue between two woven legacies highlights the expressive power of thread and motif as a universal language. The exhibition fosters intercultural exchange, echoing Azerbaijan’s own rich weaving tradition inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Designed as an immersive and contemporary experience, this digital exhibition reimagines access to heritage, making it as fluid as it is intuitive – from the museum’s large screens to the small screens of mobile phones. With high-resolution zoomable imagery, visitors can explore the motifs and textures of the Rbati carpet in exquisite detail, while artisans’ testimonies bring their craft to life. A dynamic narrative pathway enriched with archival material, expert interviews, interactive maps, and infographics illustrates the diversity of Moroccan carpets.
Conceived as a tool for transmission, the exhibition includes an educational component for schools and cultural institutions. By combining technological innovation with heritage valorization, this initiative reflects a modern approach that enhances cultural accessibility and celebrates a living legacy.
