The event centered on the art of Dunhuang, inspired by the historical context of the meeting of civilizations along the ancient Silk Road. This musical tradition was presented using a contemporary musical language without losing its original essence.
The Mogao Caves, whose construction began in 366 AD, preserve a vast collection of murals and sculptures of extraordinary artistic value.
Contemporary Reinterpretation Under the musical direction and arrangements of Zhang Yi, director of the Dunhuang Ancient Music Orchestra, the millennia-old melodies were reinterpreted through a contemporary musical language, giving rise to a new creation: "Reinterpreted Dunhuang Ancient Music".
In 1900, the discovery of the Library Cave revealed 25 ancient Dunhuang musical scores, considered today one of the earliest known examples of notated music in the world.
Millennial Musical Heritage Dunhuang, located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor in China's Gansu province, was historically a key point on the Silk Road, connecting Central China with the Western Regions, and the East with the West.
As part of the celebration of the Chinese New Year 2026, the Year of the Horse, a concert titled "Dunhuang Ancient Music – A Musical Dialogue Across a Millennium" was held at the National Theater last night.
Throughout the centuries, various civilizations converged, dialogued, and interacted in this place, giving rise to a unique and deeply integrative culture: the culture of Dunhuang.
Chinese and Panamanian artists shared the stage in a joint performance that fostered a dialogue between the traditional and the modern, as well as between the East and the West, offering the public a cultural experience that transcends millennia.
All the pieces performed were inspired by scenes and stories depicted in the murals of the Mogao Caves.
This concert used these scores as its creative basis.
