Uzbekistan’s Silk and Spices festival draws global artisans to Bukhara
Thousands gather for 21st edition of cultural festival spotlighting folk art, crafts, cuisine, and cross-border artistic exchange
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — The ancient city of Bukhara recently welcomed guests from around the world for the 21st edition of the international “Silk and Spices” festival, held from June 6 to 8. The event brought together artisans, performers, and cultural enthusiasts in a vibrant celebration of Uzbekistan’s folk heritage and Silk Road legacy.
According to Uz Daily, the event brought together more than 50 craftspeople from ten countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Over 200 artisans from across Uzbekistan also showcased their handmade works, ranging from textiles to ceramics and spice products.
Organized with support from the national Tourism Committee, the Bukhara regional administration, the crafts association “Hunarmand,” and other cultural institutions, the festival aimed to promote Uzbek folk arts while positioning the country as a key cultural destination in Central Asia.
The festival opened on June 6 with a vibrant procession through Bukhara’s historic core, starting from the Ark Fortress and culminating at the Lyabi Hauz architectural complex.
Over the following three days, visitors were treated to a packed agenda including folk performances, traditional craft workshops, silk and spice exhibitions, fashion shows, national sports games, and a pilaf tasting celebration.
Now in its third decade, “Silk and Spices” has become a cornerstone of Uzbekistan’s cultural calendar. Last year’s 20th-anniversary edition attracted 10,000 foreign tourists and over 15,000 domestic visitors across the country.
This year, organizers estimated the attendance of around 50,000 guests from across Uzbekistan and abroad.
In addition to honoring Uzbekistan’s artisanal legacy, the festival has evolved into a platform for cultural diplomacy and regional exchange. The participation of designers, musicians, and craftspeople from neighboring countries reinforced Bukhara’s status as a crossroads of ancient and modern traditions.
The festival’s continued success underscores Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to boost tourism by leveraging its historical cities and intangible cultural heritage — from silk weaving to spice trading — which once defined the ancient Silk Road.
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