Leyla Bayramova, an artisan from Hanifa village, which is considered a “record holder” for the number of “ABAD” artisans, is a carpet weaver. She is a student of “ABAD” artisan Melahat Alvasova:

“All my family members are engaged in agriculture—hazelnut farming, animal husbandry, and so on. I am the only one considered a cultural worker. Currently, I work as a cultural organizer at the Hanifa village club branch of the Balakan District Culture Center.”

According to Leyla Bayramova, she has had a particular fondness for embroidery since her school years. She has been engaged in creating flowers from various fabrics and embroidering on fabric since that time:

“After starting my job, my inclination toward craftsmanship grew even stronger. Later, I began weaving various types of products, and my beadwork handicrafts were put up for sale.”

In 2017, the “Support for the Development of Small Family Businesses in the Sheki-Zagatala Economic Zone via the Balakan Regional ABAD Center” project was launched through a joint initiative by “ABAD,” the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the European Union. Leyla Bayramova was among the 44 selected participants. As part of the project, she received training on looms provided to her and learned the art of carpet weaving:

“My plans for the future are quite ambitious. First and foremost, I want our region to become a leader in carpet weaving, and I aim to expand this work further. We have many goals. With the support of ‘ABAD,’ we will move forward.”