Armenia Music

The Georgian Government stakes much of its future on the revival of the ancient Silk Road as the Eurasian energy transportation corridor, using Georgia's geography as a bridge for transit of goods between Europe and Asia. Georgians are renowned for their hospitality and artistry in dance, theater, music, and design. ... [Read More]

IEW Events > United States

The week opens with a kick-off in the College Center including greetings from the college president and several international students in their home languages, and a music presentation provided by Del Sur Music. There will be a one-hour program of world music daily by the campus radio station. The cafeteria will serve international cuisine during the week, including dishes from Mexico, Italy, India and China. The Transfer Department will host a combined college recruitment and study abroad fair. The Triton College Student Association will sponsor an international film festival. Several faculty have opened their classes to visitors from foreign consulates in Chicago. The Undergraduate Center will present their undergraduate study travel opportunities. The Foreign Languages Department will host activities to promote the study of foreign languages and the Phi Theta Kappa honor society w ... [Read More]

IEW Events > The Americas

The Washington, D.C.-based music ensemble "Hesperus" completed a three-city tour of Bolivia with a performance to commemorate IEW. The event was co-sponsored by the Bolivian Alumni Association and included former international visitors and Fulbrighters - some current officials and elected representatives in the government - as invited guests of honor. The group performed lively American colonial and folk music pieces that required 30 different instruments. The La Paz performance also served as a platform for the recently re-organized Fulbright Alumni Association to publicly recognize their members and contributions to the country. This three-city performing arts program was organized and funded by the embassy. ... [Read More]

For the Record Newsletter – European Programs Branch

At the final banquet of the JFDP mid-year conference , the JFDP delegation from the Kyrgyz Republic performs traditional Kyrgyz songs and instrumental music. Pictured are (from left to right) Oleksander Kovrov of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine (accompanist), Jumagul Esenalieva of Bishkek, Kanykey Muhtarova of Bishkek, Rano Zakirova of Osh, and Bolotbek Orokov of Bishkek. ... [Read More]

IEW > Events

Little Chico Creek Elementary School in Chico, California took part in a continuation of the "Azerbaijani Folk Songs" project. In this new on-going project, titled "Folk Songs II: Sharing Cultures through Music," students of Little Chico Creek and schools #220 and #245 in Baku will share folk songs from their countries and talk about how these songs reflect the identity of the nation. The second part of this project gives the students an opportunity to look at the folk songs and compare/contrast them with those songs they listen to now. Students will ask the questions: What do these songs say about me, my relation to my past? How am I different or the same from when these songs were written? How are the songs of my country the same or different from those of the other country (America or Azerbaijan)? ... [Read More]

Secretary Powell Participates in Smithsonian Folklife Festival

  Secretary Powell spoke at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Washington Mall, kicking off the 10-day event, "The Silk Road: Connecting Cultures, Creating Trust."   The theme for the festival, which is sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and is being held June 26-30 and July 3-7, was conceived by internationally acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who also is coproducing the event. Featuring the talents of numerous artists, musicians, chefs, and others, the festival celebrates the legendary Silk Road which connected Europe to Asia for many centuries, leading to further cross-cultural integration and sharing of ideas and goods between the East and the West.  [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: People-to-People Diplomacy Needed More Than Ever, Harrison Says

carpet weaver, a performer of the traditional Magam music, a story-telling bard, and a seven-member ensemble of traditional music from Badakshan in northern Afghanistan. In addition, a grant from the bureau supported musical performances by eight members of cellist Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble. Other divisions of the State Department also provided significant financial and other support to help bring participants and their equipment to Washington for the festival. ...

Harrison referred to Secretary Powell's pledge that as we work to end the scourge of terrorism, we also must work to increase peace, prosperity and democracy. "That's what educational and cultural exchanges can do, because these kinds of programs are accessible," she said. "You do not need a degree to understand music. You do not need to have gone to school for years to look at someone who is creating the most beautiful silk carpet or to hear poetry or to look at a painting. These things have an immediate impact, and the inquiring mind then wants to know what kind of culture created them. [Exchanges] create a respect for differences that eventually leads to trust." ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

The world-class Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the beautifully refurbished city Opera House, where you can also attend a full season of opera.  In addition, there are several chamber ensembles highly regarded for their musicianship, including the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia and the Serenade Orchestra.  Classical music can also be heard at one of several smaller venues, including the State Music Conservatory and the Chamber Orchestra Hall. ... [Read More]

Global Youth Services Day – Youth Programs Division – Citizen Exchanges

On April 9th, 189 members of the international community in Tashkent attended the Spring Swing Charity Ball, organized by alumni of American Councils’ Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) and sponsored by British Airways. The night of food, dancing, live music and charity raffles raised over $3,000 for the Children’s Ward of the Tashkent Cancer Hospital, and kicked off FLEX alumni’s efforts to commemorate Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) in Uzbekistan. ... [Read More]