Silk Road Bazaar comes to King's Cross

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 (see full list below) 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. The vendors will be complemented by food and drink suppliers from countries along the Silk Road.

The bazaar which aims to create a unique shopping experience for visitors and transport them to markets 1,000 miles away, will form part of the weekly Canopy Market located under the Victorian steel and glass near Granary Square in London’s King’s Cross. Canopy Market brings together fresh produce, artisan food, designer-makers and artists alongside street food, craft drinks and music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fabio Diu, Director of Canopy Market said, “Canopy Market is a space to discover talented independents, so we are thrilled to be hosting such an original and evocative event with Aga Khan Foundation, supporting traditional craftsmanship and showcasing an exciting range of unique artisanal products from across the Silk Road alongside the regular market. This is the perfect event for those looking for something a little different for themselves or their homes; something handcrafted, with heritage and a story.”

As part of its economic development work, the Aga Khan Foundation supports numerous artisans in counties along the Silk Road to develop their businesses to sustain livelihoods, create new jobs and preserve cultural heritage. The Silk Road Bazaar in London has been created to support local artisans and also to bring attention to the plurality of artisanal heritage found in counties along the Silk Road. “The Aga Khan Foundation is delighted to bring together this unique collection of vendors from across Central and South Asia and the Middle East. Artisans are a vital link to the Silk Road’s rich cultural heritage, but they are also a critical resource for local livelihoods. Between the twin threats of globalisation and this pandemic, they are more under threat than ever. Please come to the Bazaar, be part of our efforts to support local artisans, and discover the extraordinary talent from these regions,” Matt Reed Chief Executive Officer, Aga Khan Foundation UK.

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.”

The vendors:

• Art of the Pen: Original art from classically trained calligrapher Soraya Syed
• Attar Apothecary: Grade A, organic, single farmer Saffron from Iran
• Beni: A cultural lab for innovative ideas telling stories and selling artisan goods (e.g. Uzbeki hats) run by YouTube influencer Nadir Nahdi
• Eastern Rug Centre: Hand-made Afghan rugs made by our own weavers in the Northern and North-Western regions of Afghanistan
• Ishkar: Handcrafted jewellery, homeware, fashions and hampers from places that are, or have been, affected by conflict or political turbulence
• Loaf Lifestyle: Ethically driven home décor and handicraft company with a focus on preserving the folk arts of nomadic people
• Mishkā: Leather and jewelry handmade by local women in historic Cairo
• Nimuri: Ethically sourced fashion and homeware made by Pakistani artisans
• Ottoman Silks: Handcrafted silks inspired by Ottoman designs, made in Bursa, Turkey’s silk capital
• Pink Tea Café: Finest specialty teas, artisan chai blends and exquisite handcrafted baklava
• Sabbara: Purses, bags and cushions handmade by Syrian refugee women
• S jo Accessories: One-of-a-kind accessories, drawing inspiration from traditional textile craftsmanship and handcrafted by artisans, mainly women, from villages in Pakistan

The Silk Road Bazaar complements the Aga Khan Foundation’s The Silk Road: A Living History exhibition on Granary Square by Christopher Wilton-Steer.

More details here: https://silkroad-livinghistory.org

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