On the last Sunday of May, Turkmenistan traditionally celebrates the Turkmen Carpet Holiday. In Ashgabat, this day was marked by the opening of an exhibition of carpet products and the XXVI meeting of the World Association of Turkmen Carpet Connoisseurs. Festive events celebrating the work of domestic carpet weavers offer new opportunities to promote our national heritage, allowing guests from around the world to gain a closer understanding of rich historical heritage and contemporary developments of the country in carpet production.
The Turkmen hand-woven carpet - an exquisite knotted piece of wool or silk - is rightfully one of the main national symbols. And today, every foreign guest has a unique opportunity to officially purchase this masterpiece as a priceless gift and take it home as in memory of sunny Turkmenistan.
The chain of branded stores of the State association «Turkmenhaly», whose enterprises carefully preserve centuries-old traditions of hand weaving, offers a rich selection of products in a variety of patterns, sizes, and unique colour schemes. The assortment includes not only classic carpets and rugs, but also original souvenirs and traditional carpet bags. In specialised retail stores, highly qualified specialists are always ready to advise customers on the origin of each pattern and the natural dyes used.
The main advantage of purchasing from certified government stores or approved hotel souvenir shops is the absolute ease of export. The store takes full responsibility for all necessary official procedures, examinations, and fees. Upon purchase, the customer is provided with a receipt and a certificate of authenticity, which automatically guarantees quality and the right to unimpeded export.
According to the legislation of the country, carpets that are no more than 50 years old are permitted for export. With store documents, passing through security upon departure from Ashgabat International airport or at the land border becomes a purely formal procedure. Customs duties are not charged to individuals for the export of carpets. The passenger only needs to declare the carpet on the customs form, present it to inspectors unfolded, and show the certificate issued by the store along with the receipt.
For the convenience of customers, «Turkmenhaly» brand stores offer a delivery service. Within Ashgabat, this service is completely free, and purchased carpets are delivered to future owners within 7 working days. In addition, some specialty stores offer international shipping to anywhere in the world. Thanks to a well-established system, handcrafted masterpieces of Turkmen carpet weaving easily find a new home in Europe, Asia, and America, strengthening international cultural ties.
