A Yurt in the Middle of Washington

Yes, folks – BIG NEWS, BIG NEWS!

Shai-Kesh Kyrgyzstan will be changing to Shai-Kesh Washington as it displays its fine products and work on The Mall (in Washington DC) from June 30 to July 11.

Now how did this great opportunity come to be? Through the talented staff of Peace Corps of course! A very well written grant has secured Kyrgyzstan a place in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival from June 30 to July 11 in Washington DC this summer. We will be the only Central Asian country represented at the festival and we are all anticipating and are very excited to go to Washington.

This will be Eylina’s first time to America, so we are expecting a big culture. She will have to overcome that culture shock though because she will be holding demonstrating the processes of how we so elegantly make our Silk Wool Pressed Scarves and Silk-Treated Merino Wool Pressed Bags. This will all be done inside what we expect to be a yurt next to a basket weaving artisan community from Kenya. Sounds pretty crazy, uh?

In addition to our display section where we will be showing how we make our products there will be a marketplace which will be selling our:
- Silk Wool Pressed Scarves
- Silk -Treated Merino Wool Pressed Bags,
- Animal Toys

There will also be an ‘International Kitchen’ where Kyrgyz, Kenyan, Filipino and all of those other countries whose foods you know you have never tried will be available to eat and snack on. It will be a great opportunity to expand even the most experienced of palates.

It’s going to be an exciting event that will bring people from all different nationalities together to embrace diversity and culture. I am honored to have been chosen to be a part of this event and I hope to see all of you there cheering on the team from Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic!