From Bamiyan to London: Afghan Women Craft Poetry in Carpets
The "Weaving Poems" exhibition was held at Sotheby's Auction House in central London from July 28 to August 22, 2025. Organized by the British charity Turquoise Mountain, the exhibition showcased 14 handwoven carpets from a collection of 24, created by Afghan designer Maryam Omar in collaboration with women weavers from Bamiyan province in Afghanistan. The designs were inspired by poems associated with traditional weaving practices, as well as the natural and cultural landscapes of the Bamiyan Valley.
The carpets were woven using locally sourced spun wool and natural and mineral dyes. The exhibition aimed to highlight the role of cultural collaborations in supporting Afghan women and empowering them through traditional crafts.
The "Weaving Poems" project was first exhibited at the inaugural Design Doha event in Qatar in 2024. A subsequent exhibition is scheduled to open at the UNESCO Cultural Centre in Bamiyan in September 2025.
Turquoise Mountain, established in 2006 by then-Crown Prince Charles of the UK, focuses on revitalizing historic areas and traditional crafts in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Middle East. The foundation supports thousands of families through humanitarian, educational, and healthcare services, as well as creating livelihood opportunities through handicrafts and preserving architectural heritage.
