Azerbaijan’s ancient arts have been passed down from generation to generation and are still preserved today. One such art is wood carving.

Wood has been one of the most essential materials in human life since ancient times. Even today, wood is used in everything from homes to furniture production.

Rufat Allahverdiyev is among the artisans engaged in artistic wood carving. By profession, he is a financier and works as an accountant. However, his love for wood began in his childhood years:

“Although my father was an orientalist, he ran a carpentry workshop as an additional source of income. There, he and his team created interesting doors and windows that met the demands of the time. As a child, watching their handicrafts, I dreamed of making toys from this wood.”

Having deeply studied the art of carving and carpentry, R. Allahverdiyev achieved his dreams. He began creating eco-friendly toys.

“When the Novruz festival was held in the Kurdamir district, my handmade works were exhibited there for the first time. I never imagined they would generate such interest. Right there, I encountered questions like why I wasn’t offering my products to ‘ABAD.’ After that, I researched ‘ABAD’s activities and applied.”

Currently, Rufat Allahverdiyev produces not only toys but also various souvenirs with national ornaments. However, he intends to completely transform the approach by incorporating advanced technologies:

“As a pilot project, I am working on the production of robots made of wood but equipped with full electronics. I have invented sensor-based smart souvenirs. The art of wood carving has required innovations throughout history. For example, while artistic patterns were previously applied by hand, laser cutting has now made this process much easier. High technologies will also play a significant role in our daily needs in the near future. We are preparing for this.”