Jerusalem, 8 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Azerbaijani Embassy in Israel recently hosted a moving tribute to carpet artist and ethnographic researcher Albert (Arya) Rafiyev, celebrating his 60th birthday and his work preserving the heritage of the Central Asian country’s Mountain Jews. The evening featured the international premiere of the film The Eternal Road, directed by Rohat Asadov, documenting Rafiyev’s unique artistic and cultural contributions.
Born in Krasnaya Sloboda in northeastern Azerbaijan, Rafiyev studied classical art in Baku before pursuing a career as a designer in Moscow. His signature technique translates oil paintings on canvas into “knot maps” for hand-woven carpets, using natural dyes to depict the “circle of life” and Mountain Jewish traditions. Rafiyev also maintains a collection of over 2,500 rare ethnographic items, which inform his work.
Ambassador Mukhtar Mammadov praised Rafiyev’s innovative approach on Thursday, calling his carpets a “story of Judaism told through threads.” Speaking of Israel-Azerbaijan ties, he said political relations are strong, but “the real connection is built through art, shared viewing and learning,” adding that he hopes Rafiyev’s works will be widely exhibited in Israel to convey a message of friendship and tolerance.
The tribute drew prominent figures including historian Leah Shmuelova, public figure Shaul Simenkov, and poet Michael Salman, who described Rafiyev as a “living bridge” between peoples.
Mountain Jews, or Juhuro, are a Jewish community native to the eastern Caucasus, particularly Azerbaijan and Dagestan, with roots tracing back over a thousand years to Persia. They traditionally speak Juhuri, a Judeo-Persian language, and practice Judaism while blending local Caucasian customs. Their most notable settlement is Krasnaya Sloboda (Red Village), one of the few all-Jewish towns outside Israel, where they have preserved distinctive cultural, religious, and artisanal traditions, including carpet weaving, silverwork, and leathercraft.
Today, Mountain Jews number around 10,000–20,000 in Azerbaijan, mainly in Krasnaya Sloboda and Baku, with many also living in Israel, the U.S., and Europe.
Azerbaijan’s overall Jewish population is estimated at 16,000–30,000.
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