The Silk Route Festival or Festival on the World’s Roof is a cultural event celebrated in Gilgit Baltistan in September each year.
Countries like China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are collaborating with Pakistan to facilitate the work of their craftsmen, folk musicians and artisans.
Silk Route Festival on the Top of the World where natural scenery, forest, a magnificent place in the world’s highest mountains, stunning spectacles of pure scenic beauty, wildlife and nature, awe-inspiring snow summits.
Glittering glaciers, serene valleys of lush green vegetation and fruit, gleaming and scintillating streams of unpolluted water, the rich diversity of people, culture, traditions, music, crafts and heritage, await you.
Highlights of the Silk Route Festival
Artisans-at-work (Gilgit, Karimabad & Skardu) Master craftsmen will be employed in beautifully built and recorded pavilions from remote parts of the Northern regions. Folk Song & Dance Ensembles (Karimabad & Skardu, Gilgit, Aliabad, Gulmit)
Folk dancers and musicians from all areas of Northern Areas will be invited to entertain visitors to the festival including dance, and song ensembles from the neighboring Xinjiang Province of China and Central Asia.
Folk Music Groups in Silk Route Festival
In the various cities, small open-air stages are set up at the festival grounds to present folk musicians from all over the Northern regions.
Exotic Craft Bazaar
Regional exotic bazaars are held like local communities’ Sunday & Friday markets where people can sell, trade, or show local produce, offering an endless range of cottage crafts, knickknacks, flea markets, etc.
Food & Fruit Fair in Silk Route Festival
Food festivals are held in many locations, in collaboration with hotels and communities. Farmers are to show and sell fruit.
Polo Matches and Indigenous Sports Events
Various Polo matches at Gilgit and Skardu serve as a major attraction for domestic tourists and international visitors.
Camping Villages & Open Air Local Restaurants
Village camping and open-air hotels are set up for nature lovers at the scenic spots.
Ethnic Fashion Show
Depicting regional costumes and cultural traditions are held.
Community Festivals at the District Level
AKCSP, AKRSP, Craft Creation Works, Literary and Cultural Forums, IUCN, WWF, and other NGOs organize District Public Festivals.
Crossroads of Asia
One of the few regions in the world that at Asia’s crossroads offers a fascinating mix of Adventure, History, Natural Beauty, Culture and Trade. A unique experience is a region and its autochthonous heritage of arts, crafts, history, environment, people, goods and cultures.
Read also: How many festivals are celebrated in Gilgit Baltistan
