Oxford’s historic Holywell Music Room transformed into a global stage this week as the Art Beyond Borders Initiative (ABBI) hosted a boundary-breaking concert celebrating cultural diversity. From the haunting melodies of Peking Opera to the soulful rhythms of Indian Raags, the event wove together artistic traditions from three continents. 🌏✨
🎭 East Meets West (and Beyond!)
Chinese soprano Betty Yan and pianist Yuchen Zhang opened with \"A Bird Singing in the Wind\", blending classical Chinese art song with poetic lyricism. Meanwhile, Aastha Mohapatra’s \"Song of Radha\" transported the audience to India’s spiritual landscape through intricate vocal improvisations—a signature of classical Raag music.
📜 Poetry in Motion
The night’s standout? A mesmerizing Arabic piece inspired by Khalil Gibran’s poetry. \"Aatini Al Naya Wa Ghanni\" merged emotive storytelling with melodic traditions, proving that art truly speaks a universal language. 🎻
ABBI’s founder told NewspaperAmigo.com: \"This wasn’t just a concert—it was a dialogue. When these art forms collide, they spark new ways to see our shared humanity.\" 👥💡
