Ambassador Fergus Auld @fergus.auld was pleased to attend the certificate awards ceremony of the ROOTED HANDS project in Masalli on 27 April.
This meaningful initiative, delivered in partnership with the British Council and implemented locally by VAR.YOX brings together inspiring women artisans from Musakuche village—guardians of Azerbaijan’s traditional reed weaving heritage.
Ambassador Auld was especially pleased to meet UK expert Felicity Irons @rushmatters , whose mentorship throughout the workshops has introduced new techniques, creative approaches, and fresh perspectives, helping participants expand both their craftsmanship and market opportunities.
It was a privilege to present certificates to these talented women, whose dedication preserves a unique cultural tradition while building sustainable livelihoods. Encouragingly, the strong interest from younger members of the community reflects a promising future for the continuity of this heritage.
Projects like ROOTED HANDS @rootedhands.az highlight the powerful link between cultural heritage, innovation, and women’s empowerment. We are proud to support initiatives that strengthen connections between the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan 🇬🇧🤝🇦🇿
Wanted to share our summer days in these cold, wintry days.
Hoorah to @saul_pankhurst and @charlie.pender talented film makers. #rushmatters #super8 #artisan #craftmanshipmatters #kinohuk
Bu ay xanımlarımıza mentorluq etmək və onlara yeni texnikalar öyrətmək məqsədilə Masallıda vorkshoplar keçirilmişdir.
Türkiyədən @ayseozdemirmom xanımın və Pasha Holding-in, Böyük Britaniyadan isə @rushmatters xanımın və British Council-in dəstəyi ilə baş tutan bu dərslər çox səmimi və ilhamverici atmosferdə keçdi.
Dəstəklərinə və yaratdıqları gözəl abu-havaya görə hər birinə dərin təşəkkürümüzü bildiririk. 🤍
Sonda isə Böyük Britaniyanın Azərbaycandakı Səfiri Ferqus Auld yeni studiyalarını ziyarət edərək iştirakçılarla görüşüb və sertifikatları təqdim edib 👏🏼
Some of the highlights of my trip to Azerbaijan.
I arrived home from Azerbaijan last Saturday night and have been coming down from my visit ever since.
There were highs and lows, joy, wonder, happiness and shock which have all made it an extraordinary experience.
Teaching the group of women was challenging and incredibly satisfying. They learned new techniques, weaves and simpler ways of making.
Quite a revelation to them. They were so thankful - demonstrating it with beaming smiles, hugs snd lots of kisses.
I truly hope the group continue going to the workshop and making together @rootedhands.az .
I had crazy taxi rides to and from Masalli. So
Many Lada’s! Swift boxes. Pindir Tati’s cat who came to Lankaran with us. Mountains and architecture
A massive thanks to the gorgeous Tati @tatitoputut my dear friend, translator and fixer. Showing me some of Baku, drinking Cay and our lunches after work shop finished each day at 5pm!
Wonderful meeting, sharing meals and laughing with Sitara, Zahad and Tanzila @var.yox . Organising the project and inviting me out to Azerbaijan. @sitaraibrahimbayli@tanzilabaghirova@var.yox
Thanks to @azbritishcouncil for the support and funding.
So much more.
Thanks Azerbaijan. Unforgettable!
Yesterday was so exciting and productive. I showed new techniques which were really well received by everyone. I was thanked and kissed a lot .
Their rush is very hard, completely different from ours but the quality is really coming on well.
Zarnishan finished weaving her hat, needs trimming but she looks fab. She has made it for rush harvest next month.
Gulasar is making a beautiful bag and reall wants to learn as much as she can. It will be stunning.
Saida is very chuffed with her hanging basket and again keen to learn everything.
Raqsana is in the background.
More to come today.
So happy with the progress and the pleasure they show me learning new things.
#felicityirons #rushweavingcrafts #rushmatters @rootedhands.az@var.yox@azbritish
My second day of teaching a group of 7-10 women. Who have some knowledge of rush weaving. They harvest their own rush in a lake nearby. Sadly they have run out of their own and had to buy some bolts which aren’t as soft.
I am trying to improve their techniques and show new ones with the aim of being able to sell their work.
It is fun, challenging and exhausting but so pleased that they tell me through my amazing fixer Tati that they are learning lots and feel they are finding it easier.
The women speak so loudly , it is madness at times.
I get very little time to take photos during the class.
The building is their new permanent workshop space which is coming on very well but meant to have been finished for my arrival apparently.
It was a derelict building used as a laboratory during the soviet era.
We had a flushing toilet with a door today!
The workshop will have a room downstairs to store and prepare their rush. Studio with a kitchen upstairs.
They are so fortunate. Not sure they realise it yet though.
This is all made possible by the hard work of @var.yox Sitara, Tanzila, Tati and many more also the funding from @britishcouncil@azbritish
It is an extraordinary experience for me and I am really loving it.
Day off tomorrow then the UK Ambassador is visiting us on Monday.
#felicityirons #teachingrushweaving #heritagecrafts
Yesterday was my first day in Baku, Azerbaijan. A day of meeting the team @var.yox an Arts and Culture organisation who invited me here to work with a group of women in Masalli @rootedhands.az .
@tatitoputut showed me round Baku- the history of parts of this beautiful city. Tati is passionate about the city and explains the history so well.
It is an eclectic mix of ancient, ultra modern and reminders of the Russian past and celebration of becoming a Republic- the enormous pinnacle which today flies a flag of Azerbaijan.
The celebration of writers, poets and novelists is everywhere.
We travel this evening down to Masalli. My adventures continue.
Thank you to Sitara, Tanzila and Tati @var.yox and the support of @azbritish
Just finished my laptop case ready to take on my new adventure tomorrow.
More on that to come.
#laptopcase #britishcraft #rushmatters #felicityirons #handwoven
Think I would like to make more of them.
A set of 4 lined log baskets finished. I have the liners made by some engineers just down the road from us. They are so helpful and very skilled. The liners allow us to make baskets to any size. @watsonandbrookman
Beautiful baskets with integral handles. All of them made to order.
#britishcraft #logbasket #rushmatters #handmade #rushbasket
I have just finished a Rush pouffe, floor cushion.
Archie thought it was definitely for him.
Filled with our rush trimmings. Entirely natural.
Made to measure, this piece is 70cm diameter x 43cm high.
Email for enquiries.
#floorcushion #pouffe #rushmatters #felicityirons #interiordesign
