JACEK PAŁKIEWICZ
Since my early days I have explored all geographical zones and inaccessible small corners of our planet. Thanks to the Royal Geographical Society in London, I also crossed the Taklamakan Desert – the most difficult obstacle along the Silk Road – on the back of a Bactrian camel. In the native language, Taklamakan means “enter, and you won’t leave”. Crossing it resembled playing with death.
Meanwhile, the old caravan paths of the most famous ancient trade route were replaced with asphalt roads and railway tracks, and the Bactrian camels – with heavy trucks bearing GPS devices. The ancient ruins that have survived to this day still have their charm and are testimony to the magnitude of the old cultures. Like in the old days, great civilizations shared their technical achievements and knowledge, met, and their cultural influences mixed came together and wove together their cultural experiences. That is why, today its cultural heritage might serve as the grounds for building extensive cooperation. In the global context, the old route is becoming a symbol of high trading and the cultural potential of the entire region.
EUROPE GOES SILK ROAD follows this vision.
Driven by intellectual curiosity and fostering international understanding among the cultures of Europe and Asia the initiators take into account that it is vital for a prosperous common future to leave the comfort zone behind, discover the unknown, connect people and ideas, and exchange with partners all over the globe by breaking fresh ground.
JACEK PAŁKIEWICZ
Honorary President
EUROPE GOES SILK ROAD
