The Haunting Melodies of the Passion of the Silk Road — the International Youth Music Festival gathered over 270 young artists...

Hosted by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of Macao, co-organized by the Instituto Cultural of Macao, the Haunting Melodies of the Passion of the Silk Road — the International Youth Music Festival ( 20 – 27 November) gathered over 270 young artists from countries and areas along the ‘Belt and Road’. These young musicians led by the renowned conductor Mr. Huichang Yan used music to speak about the culture and history of the Silk Road. Wu Promotion took charge of the whole coordination role during this festival.

Flash mobs on Macao streets enhanced the cultural exchange between ethnic culture along the ‘Belt and Road’ and Macao culture; music workshops gave local young musicians a chance to experience featured ethnic musical instruments; outdoor performances offered a platform for them to communicate with each other, while the indoor closing ceremony performance was a cultural feast with numerous music numbers pieces related to the Silk Road.

The "Silk Road Joint Orchestra" composed of the musicians participating in the festival was the highlight of this international event. In the closing ceremony performance, over 140 musicians under the baton of Mr. Huichang Yan presented the overture Gu Yun You Yang and the finale Si Qing Hua Yi which were specially written by the Macao composer Mr. Jianer Mo. The Artistic Director of this festival, Mr. Huichang Yan reflected: ‘Music is a vivid way to communicate with each other, it’s beyond language and allows us to express our dreams and broaden our horizons."