At this summer’s Golden Apricot International Film Festival in Yerevan, the traditional red carpet was replaced with unique designs created by Armenian artist Davit Kochunts. This initiative, led by the festival organizers and AHA Collective, also involved Woolway, a company founded by repatriate Hayk Oltaci and a group of fellow enthusiasts.

"The carpets portrayed topographic maps of Artsakh from a bird's-eye view, with roads leading to famous locations such as Tigranakert, Berdzor, Charektar, Dadivank, Shushi, and Mataghis. The seventh carpet represented the Red Cross, symbolizing humanitarian aid. Our company wove four of these carpets, while the other three were created by women displaced from Artsakh. Projects like these breathe new life into a nearly forgotten craft," explains Hayk Oltaci.

Historically, Armenia has had a rich tradition of carpet weaving, particularly in regions that are now facing severe challenges, such as southern Armenia and Artsakh. These areas have been central to the development of Armenian carpet weaving.

Hayk Oltaci and the Woolway team are dedicated to reviving and expanding the art of hand-weaving carpets, fabrics, and decorative elements using natural yarn.

Hayk’s journey as a master weaver began four decades ago in his birthplace, Istanbul. As a teenager, he received a Ladik carpet from his mother’s grandfather, a gift that would define his future.

"I was just sixteen when my mother’s grandfather gifted me a Ladik carpet. Ladik is a district in Konya, central Anatolia, where Armenians once lived. I was mesmerized by the colors and patterns. We had a carpet seller restore it, a process that took three months and cost a small fortune. That experience awakened my passion to master the craft myself," Hayk recalls.

After mastering carpet restoration and finishing school, Hayk moved to Strasbourg, France, to work with his cousin, who was already established in the antique carpet business. After a decade in France, he moved to New York and opened his own store, specializing in the restoration of antique Armenian, Anatolian, Turkish, and Persian carpets.

During his thirty years in the United States, Hayk connected with many Armenians who had emigrated from Armenia, deepening his understanding and fluency in Eastern Armenian.

Reflecting on his roots, he shares, "Our original family name was Altunyan, but my grandfather changed it to Oltaci. At home in Istanbul we spoke Armenian, and outside we spoke Turkish. My parents were born in Istanbul, but their roots are in Erzincan and Kayseri. Before moving, I hadn’t known much about the part of Armenia where I live now."

After years in the hustle and bustle of New York, Hayk realized that after nearly forty years abroad, he wanted to return to his ancestral lands. Although he could have gone back to Istanbul or moved to Yerevan, Armenia became his chosen destination.

Remarkably, Hayk had never visited Armenia before making this decision. His ten-day visit right before the move was enough to settle on his choice.

"Everyone has an ultimate goal. Mine was moving to Armenia. By 2019, I was here, setting up my store. My American store is still running and is of great support. All carpets arriving at the American store are now restored exclusively in Armenia with Armenian yarn," Hayk reveals.

For the time being, Woolway stands as the only professional center for antique carpet restoration in Armenia. The company initially started by dyeing wool yarn using only plant-based dyes.

 

"We started by partnering with the Amasya Wool Factory to support local production, and we no longer import anything from Turkey. The factory initially produced only three shades of yarn, but we needed more variety. And for carpet restoration, specific quality yarn is required. So, we started purchasing select wool, dyeing it, and using it for carpet restoration. We also taught this process to the factory workers," Hayk shares.

As production volumes increased, Woolway began supplying this high-quality yarn to local carpet weavers.

In addition to producing yarn and restoring antique carpets, Woolway designs custom carpets and provides professional carpet cleaning services. They also dye fabrics for Armenian designers. Their company’s services are used by the Museum of Armenian History for carpet restoration, yarn dyeing, and cleaning, as well as by the Museum of National Art.

Woolway actively collaborates with Tufenkian, working on the restoration of numerous pieces from James Tufenkian’s growing collection of antique carpets. Woolway has been entrusted with restoring many of these valuable items. 

"I’m an artist, and our work is challenging because it is driven by passion. If we could not dye yarn, there would be no restoration or production of carpets. Soon, we will be opening a guest house with cuisine characteristic of Istanbul. We will host guests, develop this village, offer tours, and teach guests how to dye yarn, restore, and make carpets. We already have courses and teach from scratch," Hayk continues.

In the village of Argavand, where the guest house is located, Woolway already hosts workshops, master classes, and training sessions. As more guests arrive, Hayk plans to boost carpet weaving tourism in the village and throughout Armenia.

 

"When I set a goal, I achieve it. It was crucial for me to have ‘Made in Armenia’ on my products. Although there are experts in Armenia, the craft is fading. I believe things will get better, and many in the diaspora should come and share their expertise. If you wait for the perfect time to move, it might be too late. Personal involvement is key.

What I couldn’t achieve in Istanbul, I accomplished in Strasbourg. What I couldn’t do there, I achieved in New York. And what I couldn’t do in the U.S., I am now accomplishing in Armenia. Here, I finally bought my home. Armenia is where all my dreams have come true, and it is the final destination in my long journey," Hayk concludes.

By Nare Bejanyan