T he annual festival "Silk and Spices", held in Bukhara, is perhaps one of the main events in the cultural life of Uzbekistan

T he annual festival "Silk and Spices", held in Bukhara, is perhaps one of the main events in the cultural life of Uzbekistan.If you go back to history, then ancient Bukhara celebrated its 2500-th anniversary in 1997, but in fact, it is an actively developing city. Bukhara is very well located in the middle of the route of the Great Silk Road and represents a colossal historical and cultural heritage. It is for this reason that the UNESCO has included it in the list of historically important objects of the world. As the town is located on the route of the Great Silk Road, caravans carrying silk and spices from China to Europe used to pass through Bukhara.The first Silk and Spices Festival was arranged by the Uzbektourism National Company, Bukhara City Hall, and Hunarmand Association of Craftspeople.
“Palov sayli” (“pilaf festival”) will bring together the best chefs of the country from different areas and will allow fans of the national cuisine to enjoy and witness this culinary competition.Representatives of foreign diplomatic corps, international organizations and other foreign guests – the participants of the conference “the development of historical, socio-cultural traditions of Bukhara in the context of the requirements of the modern civilization” will consider the issues of cooperation on improvement of tourism infrastructure and services, as well as professional training and advanced training of specialists involved in this area. At the end of the conference it is expected the signing of partnership agreements and number of investment projects.The entertainment part of the program of the festival show concerts of folk groups from different regions of the country and a gala concert with participation of popular and talented young artists.The festival “Silk and spices” will be concluded by cultural composition program, reflecting the essence of cultural heritage, and the ceremony of awarding the winners of the festival in several categories.
Surrounded by harsh deserts, the Silk Road oasis town of Bukhara has for millennia tempted travelers with its cool shade, fruit orchards, and warm hospitality. Sogdians, Turkic peoples, Arabs, Persians, Mongols, and Russians have all passed through and occupied this territory. While much has changed over the years and all these cultures have left a mark, Bukhara is still a welcoming place. It is perhaps for that reason that the town was chosen to host Uzbekistan’s Silk and Spice Festival. The festival was created with a few primary objectives: to revive the cultural legacy of the Silk Road and to showcase the rich traditions of local artisans to visitors.
There is a parade that takes place during the festival that leads from the Ark Citadel to the Lyabi Hauz Plaza, winding past the markets and madrassas of the old town. Thousands of artists, musicians, dance troupes, and ordinary locals walk this route wearing ornate costumes, showcasing their crafts, dancing, and singing folk songs. You might even see a few camels and horseback riders in the parade. The best part is that if you are so inclined, you are very welcome to join in and walk part of the parade route yourself!
.The Silk and Spice Festival brings in the best of Uzbekistan’s artisans, along with top artists and craftspeople from neighboring countries including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. There are typically blacksmiths from Shahrisabz, silk-weavers from Margilan, jewelry artisans from Samarkand, and spice producers from Khorezm, all exhibiting and selling their wares.One of the most sought-after products at this festival is silk. The center of silk production in Central Asia is the Fergana Valley. Silkworms are raised on mulberry leaves and their cocoons are unraveled to yield the raw material. Textile masters then use natural dyes to produce stunning pieces using traditional Uzbek ikat designs. Several different classes of fabric are produced by the weavers, from pure silk to silk and cotton blends.Of course, spices are also an important component of the festival. Uzbekistan’s rich cuisine uses various spices brought in by traders over the centuries. The famous kebabs of the region rely on cumin, black pepper, turmeric, and juniper. Saffron (and safflower), garlic, parsley, dill, basil, cinnamon, chili peppers, coriander seeds, bay leaves, sesame seeds, cilantro, mint, thyme, and caraway are all used widely and featured at the festival. Look out for unique and hard-to-come-by spices like the barberries used in local rice dishes or the black nigella seeds used to top Uzbek breads and pastries.Impromptu dance and music performances are another of my favorite components of the Silk and Spice Festival. Music is hugely important to Uzbeks and often featured on the itineraries of visitors to the country.A common performance type is mavrigi. Mavrigi is a collection of folk songs that evolved in Bukhara over the course of centuries. While the better-known shashmaqom was the court music, mavrigi belonged to the ordinary, working-class people. This lively music is fun, whether you are inclined to join in or just watch from the sidelines.
The Silk and Spice Festival is one of the best events of the year for photography in Uzbekistan. The people, the music and dance, the spices, and the arts and crafts are all highly photogenic. And of course, its turquoise domes, khaki walls, blue skies, and colorful inhabitants make Bukhara a perpetually beautiful city. Whether you are into portraits, detail photography, action shots, or architecture – you’ll have countless opportunities to take that perfect shot.
The Silk and Spices Festival will transport you thousands of years back in time to the streets of the ancient city of Bukhara, where caravans filled with silk and spices stopped on their journey from China to Europe to meet with other traders and local craftsmen. Try your hand at carpet weaving, pottery or gold embroidery, explore the madrassahs and stunning architecture of this Silk Road city and dance to folk music played by traditional bands. Or just relax and enjoy parades of people dressed in traditional Uzbek clothes, traditional games and sporting demonstrations. Don`t miss your chance to bring home stunning silk scarves and other souvenirs to remember your Uzbekistan adventure.
All this is filled with a deep meaning, as 2,000 years ago silk fabrics and spices were the main goods that were brought to the region along the Great Silk Road.