Culture & Music To Play A Big Role On Belt And Road

By Nina Golan

09 September, 2021 7:12pm GMT+8 / MYT

“Imagine a future going to music festivals and live shows along the Silk Road”

While many more songwriters believe that there may be commercial sense to how things are being run in the digitalized world, the purpose of music making remains best performed in its cultural sense, I mean LIVE. Why? To transcend creative perspective and understanding of people from the specific communities and tribes to the world.

Tourism wouldn’t come to a halt against the tide of a sun-setting aviation industry, but gaining momentum through rail and overland travels.

In a world where a country’s status is increasingly dictated by the strength of its economy and political ties, Asia Pacific’s cultural achievement is inextricably connected with its diversity as a continent.

As unifying Asia Pacific is as a continent, it has an expansive wisdom that can be imparted via the Silk Road. A route that is not only expanding via trade, but through its music, culture, arts, history, architecture and people.

Similarly, the global influence of any country involved in the BRI will bring APAC’s culture to a global presence. And as a result, in advocating the cultural and creative exchanges between BRI countries, collaboration in music and its influence can further expand internationally.

Consequently, this will benefit music education in the region and create better opportunities and innovations along the way. Where there are benefits that may seem prosperous, the BRI however harmonious and sustainably developing, continues to face complications, risks and challenges.

Addressing issues dealing with environmental pollution, climate change and clean energy continues to be a worldwide dilemma and new innovations are urgently required. Thus, as much as why music and culture play a big role, its ancient values and expression of its diversity run alongside the development of science and technology in its strategy to build a successful collaboration.

Cultural music in its largest sense portrays unity. Used either as export or import by the foreign ministry of any country, it is used to portray ancient understanding of local language shown through dance as well as the vibrant traditional costumes each culture bears.

When there is music, there is a smile and an uncontrollable sense to tap your feet and moving of the hips. On close scrutiny, even developed countries within the BRI such as Israel, Japan, South Korea and Singapore are not excluded.

Music represents a symbol of unity just like sports. And while we may celebrate our differences, there are far greater good to celebrate our similarities.

The Belt and Road Initiative may own its origin in developing the network of trade in Asia Pacific, but it has ignited a greater sense of unity more than ever, even in these dividing times when racism runs like wild fire.

If there are reasons to dividing nations, then there are also reasons to unite. In parallel, while the BRI’s initiatives include setting up joint labs, research centers and building Science and Technology parks, music should also be the reason why there should be more cultural centres, music & dance schools, and music cities & communities being set up to unite and collaborate nations.

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