Fikrat Mehdiyev, a Karabakh veteran, was born in Aghdam raion. He is a builder by degree. Before the war, he was working on his speciality. However, because of the physical consequences of war, he had to try himself in another field:

 “I started working in the Organization for the Disabled and Families of Martyrs. I learned to sew uniforms and other special clothing. One day we were invited to an exhibition of handicrafts. There I bought souvenirs of an Iranian craftsman who was physically restricted. Then I gave it to someone as a gift. The person whom I presented a gift, liked it so much that he wanted me to buy the same again, but I did not have any contacts of that Iranian artisan. Despite, I went to multiple studios and consult with numerous craftsmen, no one could make same souvenir. Thus, I decided to prepare alike souvenir myself. The first try, of course, failed. I worked harder and took the last option to that person who wanted the same souvenir. It was a great honour for me that the man considered this new souvenir better crafted than the previous one. From that day on, wood carving craft has become a source of income for me.”

Mehdiyev joined ABAD public legal entity, the organization which gathers decorative-applied folk artisans together. He mainly makes decorated boxes for corporate orders.