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For centuries, travelers along the trade route between Venice and China brought wealth and knowledge in both directions.  The Silk Road became the main link between West and East and created a unique and influential arts scene that flourishes to this day. The Bloomington, Indiana-based Silk Road Ensemble brings artists together from all over the world to continue this tradition. We are dedicated to the idea that music can inspire people to transcend their own cultural boundaries and embrace unfamiliar forms of artistic expression. Since its founding in 1997 by Shahyar Daneshgar, the Ensemble has showcased the rich musical heritage of the Silk Road regions, including Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, the Arab world, India, Central Asia, and Spain.

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"Music is the universal language of mankind."

—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow