The first ever Silk Road Festival, organized by the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians, will give Houstonites the opportunity to enjoy the food, arts, crafts, dances and music of Central Asia. The Silk Road refers to the world's oldest trade route, the network of cities and trails that once spanned the Afro-Eurasian landmass and linked Asia with Mediterranean Europe and Africa.

The Silk Road Festival celebrates the cultures of six countries that currently make up this historic region: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Festival activities will be housed in a 52-foot tall tent constructed outside the Stafford Centre. Just like the ancient traders, visitors to the Silk Road Festival will be able to peruse booths displaying hand-made jewelry and scarves, charms and hand-woven carpet.

Genuine artisans from each of the featured countries will display their handicrafts and demonstrate the traditional arts of water marbling, calligraphy, stone-carving and more.

Watch an animation of the proposed venue: