Music illuminates Silk Road charm

An exhibition of musical instruments is held at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Photos by Feng Yongbin/China Daily

The inaugural conference of the Music Education Alliance Across the Silk Road, initiated and organized by the Central Conservatory of Music, was held in Beijing over May 5-7.

The Silk Road is a byword for economic trade and cultural exchanges between Asia and Europe.

Professors and presidents of 15 music conservatories from countries along the old trade routes, including the Kyrgyz National Conservatory, the Slovenian Conservatory of Music and the Vietnam National Academy of Music, and those from 11 Chinese music schools, such as the Shenyang Conservatory of Music and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, participated in forums and workshops held as part of the conference.

An exhibition of musical instruments from countries along the Silk Road and concerts, including ones on Xinjiang Muqam music and traditional music from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran, was held during the event.

An agreement on research and cultural exchanges, such as in-depth exchange activities and plans for teacher and student exchanges and scholarships, was signed during the conference.

According to Yu Feng, the president of the Central Conservatory of Music, the conference will be held every three years in alliance countries along the Silk Road. And reports from presidents and professors of music conservatories will be published in Chinese, English and Russian.