The Silk Road Bazaar
The Aga Khan Foundation are delighted to announce The Silk Road Bazaar — an artisan market inspired by and staged alongside the open-air photography exhibition, The Silk Road: A Living History in London’s King’s Cross.
Between 11 – 13 June, a select group of artisanal vendors from several countries found along the historic Silk Road trading route will come together to form the Silk Road Bazaar. Visitors will be able to buy Ottoman-inspired silks from Turkey, Pakistani homeware, Afghan jewelry, leather accessories from Cairo, one-of-a-kind calligraphy art, Grade A organic saffron from Iran, handmade Uzbek hats, small batch artisan teas and baklava to name just a few items for sale. Through engaging with the market, visitors will be able to support artisans from a number of countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, and Uzbekistan.
Eleanor Khan, founder and director of Nimuri, one of the vendors participating in the bazaar said, ‘I’m excited to be selling work by Pakistani artisans at the bazaar alongside other vendors with a similar focus on reviving craft. Pakistani artisanship is little known in the U.K., but the Silk Road photography exhibition will help place the country’s rich heritage within the context of these ancient trade routes. Given that travel is curbed at the moment, it’s also a great way for people to satisfy their wanderlust and experience the thrill of cultural discovery through the stallholders’ wares and stories.’
