The Silk Road

Renowned American cellist Yo Yo Ma was in town yesterday to let us know about the Silk Road. (On left pix of Marco Polo and Kublai Khan) ABC7 (story and video):

On Tuesday, there was a preview of what we can expect starting in June at the Chicago Cultural Center. There will be over 250 events of all kinds in a 12-month trip down Silk Road, Chicago.

"It's a year long celebration of cultural diversity and artistic expression and it's really using the Silk Road as a metaphor for an exchange of ideas and culture," said Dorothy Coyle, Dir. Chicago Office of Tourism.....

Yo-Yo Ma came up with the idea and he is donating a million dollars to help defray costs. He says it's because Chicago is sort of a modern Silk Road.

"Chicago is a world city. The world is contained within Chicago. Chicago has always been interested in the world around it. A city of transportation, trade and culture," said Yo-Yo Ma.

There will also be events at the Art Institute and Chicago Symphony.