Festivals along the Silk Roads

© Hao Jie / UNESCO Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads

Hundreds of festivals take place every year along the lengths of the Silk Roads. From social and cultural rituals and religious ceremonies to sporting events and artistic displays, festivals embody the cultural identity of the people who live along the Silk Roads. Communities are unified at symbolic moments in the year in celebrations that display traditional clothing, food, music, dance, and crafts of all kinds. They are also opportunities for exchange, as cultural treasures such as craftsmanship, recipes and songs are brought together and shared.

The Silk Roads online platform presents, explains and promotes these festivals as a vital part of the cultural life of Silk Roads societies and as symbols of the vibrant cultures that have grown up along these routes.

Please use the search button below

Festivals along the Silk Roads

Name of the Festival Sort descending Country Festival themes
Al Azi, art of performing praise, pride and fortitude poetry Oman Music and Dance
Basant Kite Flying Festival Pakistan Social practices and rituals
Marriage of Venice to the Sea Italy Social practices and rituals
Naadam Mongolia Traditional Sports and Games, Social practices and rituals
The Lantern Festival China Social practices and rituals

The Silk Roads on the Map

This platform has been developed and maintained with the support of:

Contact

UNESCO Headquarters

7 Place de Fontenoy

75007 Paris, France

Social and Human Sciences Sector

Research, Policy and Foresight Section

Silk Roads Programme

silkroads@unesco.org

Follow us