History of the International Şile Fabric Culture and Arts Festival
Named after Şile Fabric, the product that underpins the region’s economy and art, the International Şile Fabric Culture and Arts Festival is one of Turkey’s oldest festivals, held since 1984. Although it has been postponed in certain years due to natural disasters and wars, the festival has been held for 38 years and is among Turkey’s most historically rooted festivals.
The festival began in 1984 as the Şile Fabric and Youth Festival. With the inclusion of more countries and teams, the name was updated to the “International Şile Fabric Culture and Arts Festival.” In its early years, the festival hosted up to 80,000 participants who were tourists from outside.
Every year, the festival kicks off with a parade that transforms Şile Üsküdar Street into a carnival-like area, featuring concerts, competitions, and various events. The festival is enriched culturally with workshops, art discussions, panels, fashion shows, and national and international dance groups focusing on Şile Fabric and handicrafts. It also includes stands where local people, especially women, participate in motif competitions. With participants from various countries and cities in Turkey, the festival now includes a handicrafts fair.
The International Şile Fabric Culture and Arts Festival continues its mission to preserve the value and culture of Şile Fabric while promoting and protecting other traditional art forms from different countries and cultures. The festival enhances the commercial and tourism potential of the Şile region and continues to preserve the value of Şile Fabric.