Ode in Blue and Gold - Exploring the History of the Silk Road - Musical Workshop
- Date
- Monday 15 June 2026, 2-3pm
- Location
- Helix Classroom, EC Stoner Building University of Leeds, LS2 3AR
Pictures from last year's Musical Workshop
Ode in Blue and Gold – Exploring the History of the Silk Road
A public lecture with live music
“Blue waves as the chord, golden sands as the melody—woven across land and sea.”
Join us for a unique and immersive music workshop that brings the Silk Road to life through sound, story, and cultural experience.
🎶 About the Event
Ode in Blue and Gold is an engaging music workshop combining live performance, historical storytelling, visual media, and audience interaction. This event explores how the Silk Road shaped cultural exchange and influenced the evolution of traditional Chinese music.
Through a blend of academic insight and artistic performance, the workshop will help audiences:
- Discover the deep connections between Silk Road civilisation and Chinese traditional music
- Experience the historical and cultural context behind the music
- Gain a greater appreciation of Chinese folk instruments and traditions
📍 Event Details
- Date: June 15, 2026
- Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
- Location: Helix Classroom, EC Stoner Building
University of Leeds, LS2 3AR - Admission: Free entry
🎟️ Register Here
👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ode-in-blue-and-gold-tickets-1989782325499
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Pictures from last year's Musical Workshop
Event Programme
Chapter 1: Origin – The Road to the Western Regions (Han Dynasty)
- 🎬 Video Introduction
- 📖 Story-led explanation of Zhang Qian’s journeys and the origins of the Silk Road
- 🎼 Live Performances:
- Traveller (Guzheng solo) – evoking desert journeys and ancient caravans
- Horse Racing (Erhu & Guzheng ensemble)
Chapter 2: Prosperity – Chang’an & Cultural Exchange (Han–Tang Dynasties)
- 📖 Exploration of trade, cultural exchange, and shared ideas across East and West
- 🎼 Live Performances:
- Huxuan Dance (Pipa solo)
- Fantasia (Guzheng solo)
Chapter 3: Expansion – The Maritime Silk Road (Post-Tang & Song Dynasties)
- 📖 The shift to sea routes and expanding cultural connections
- 🎬 Video materials
- 🎼 Music & Cultural Experience:
- Fisherman’s Song at Sunset (Guzheng solo)
- Spring River, Flower, Moon Night (Guzheng & Pipa ensemble)
- 🍵 Tea appreciation experience
🎤 Interactive Session
Get involved in the experience:
- 🗺️ Silk Road map quiz
- 💃 Introduction to Dunhuang dance movements