Azerbaijani folk literature, with its rich and ancient tales, has played a significant role in shaping children’s worldviews while contributing to the formation of the nation’s cultural heritage. Throughout history, these literary gems have served as a source of inspiration for artisans engaged in decorative-applied arts, who have brought scenes from tales and epics to life through their craftsmanship, creating stunning examples of applied art.

Farid Najafov, an ABAD artisan, is one such creator. Within the framework of the ABAD project, Farid crafts small wooden frames that feature characters from Azerbaijani folk tales, such as “Cırtdan” (The Dwarf), “Tıq-tıq xanım” (Lady Knock-Knock), and “Təpəgöz” (Cyclops), set against the backdrop of traditional Azerbaijani carpet patterns.

Born into a family of artists, Farid shares:

“From the age of five, I watched my uncle work in his studio, which sparked my love for this craft and led me to start drawing. I was particularly fond of bringing fairy tale characters to life in my artwork. Today, inspired by Azerbaijani folk literature, I create handcrafted pieces that I believe will appeal not only to local buyers but also to foreigners.”