Cultural Crossings: Exchanges Beyond the Silk Road is QAIC’s flagship program that aims to celebrate the transmission of culture along the Silk Road routes and highlight the living cultural traditions that continue to be expressed around the world today. The exhibition is open and available for touring through January 2023. 

The Arabian Gulf sits at the crossroads of land and maritime trade routes, dating to the earliest iterations of the famous Silk Road over 2,000 years ago. Many goods—textiles, precious minerals, teas, and perfumes, to name a few—moved along this network of trade routes. But more than just the physical materials, the networks facilitated the movement of people, who brought with them their ideas, religion, and numerous other aspects of culture.

2022 Theme

Music is a universal aspect of culture that societies around the globe share. It has long played a vital role in social activities, religion, and people’s daily lives. Instruments and the musicians that played them spread beyond their regions of origin and became incorporated into the local traditions of the lands they traveled through. They also absorbed aspects of the local traditions as well, leading to the creation of new musical styles and forms. Begin your own journey as you explore the gallery to glimpse into the long and interconnected musical heritage of the Silk Road.

Exhibition Update

From August 29 through November 11, the exhibition will house an exclusive, limited-time loan of four historic ouds, thanks to the generous partnership of the Syrian Music Preservation Initiative (SMPI). To book your tour, click the following link.

Thank you to our partners

Syrian Music Preservation Initiative

Alif Laila

House of Musical Traditions

New York Arabic Orchestra

Special Thanks to our Sponsors