Journey on the Silk Road
Journey on the Silk is a vibrant celebration of the rich cultural traditions, artistic expressions, and culinary delights from the diverse regions connected by the historic Silk Road. This special event is a collaboration between One Burlington and HEDR, proudly sponsored by the City of Burlington.
AT A GLANCE
-
Date: September 21, 2025
-
Venue: Art Gallery of Burlington
-
Parking: Free, get your parking pass
-
Demonstrations: 1:00 PM
-
Show: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Demonstration
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Throughout the Gallery Space
Kashidah Kari
A Showcase of Embroidery Traditions from Across India
Presented by Creative Community Hive
Artists: Jennifer Jalal & Subia Tasneem
Embroidery in India is a centuries-old tradition, deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the country. Each region has developed its own distinctive style, telling stories of community, heritage, and identity through vibrant colours, and intricate patterns. While still rooted in ancient traditions, Indian embroidery continues to evolve. Haute couture design houses in India and abroad have embraced these techniques, using both traditional as well as digital and machine-assisted new interpretations. This dynamic art form beautifully blends timeless tradition with contemporary fashion and home décor, ensuring its relevance with future generations.
We welcome guests to visit our corner at the Silk Route event to discover some unique samples of fine thread work, such as Katha from Bengal, Chikankari from Lucknow, Phulkari from Punjab, Zardozi from Madhya Pradesh, and Kutch mirror work from Gujarat.
Weaving | Textile Studio
Presented by Burlington Handweavers & Spinners Guild
On your Journey on the Silk Road, the next stop brings you to the ancient art of weaving. In the Textile Studio, members of the Burlington Handweavers & Spinners Guild will demonstrate how threads come together to create beautiful, functional cloth. Weaving is at the heart of the Silk Road story—where cultures, people, and ideas were interlaced just like the warp and weft on a loom. Come see how this timeless craft continues to weave connections across time and place.
Tea Blending
Presented by Halton Equity Diversity Roundtable
On your Journey on the Silk Road, the Tea Station invites you to create your own unique blend. Along the Silk Road, tea was more than a drink—it was a treasured good that carried stories, flavours, and traditions across cultures. At this stop, you’ll choose from a variety of herbs and teas to craft a personal blend, much like traders and travellers once mixed ingredients from different regions. Take home your creation as a reminder of how the Silk Road continues to connect us through taste and tradition.
Chinese Calligraphy & Watercolour, by Ping Li
On your Journey on the Silk Road, explore the elegance of Chinese calligraphy and watercolour painting. These art forms travelled alongside goods and ideas, sharing stories through brushstrokes rather than words. At this stop, you’ll see how the beauty of ink and water captures tradition, expression, and connection—much like the Silk Road itself, where cultures met and creativity flourished.
Featured Peformances
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Shoreline & Rotary Room
Yang Yin Group | Chinese Orchestra
The Yuan Yin Group was founded in 1920 by a team of scholars and professors from China's leading universities, including Peking University and Tsinghua University, along with educators from the provincial government, with a firm belief in music as a universal language that fosters connections between cultures and serves as a powerful educational tool. This conviction has driven the group's expansion from its origins in China to North America and Europe.
Dr. Feihong Nan, a prominent Data Scientist, established the Canadian Division of the Yuan Yin Group, combining her profound love for classical Chinese music with over 20 years of expertise in playing and teaching the Guzheng, a traditional Chinese zither. As a national 1st place winner and holder of the highest grade certificate in Guzheng music performance, she is dedicated to imparting the group's core beliefs and musical passion to audiences and students alike.
Reign Yash Dance Academy | India
Reign Yash Dance Academy is a vibrant hub for artistic expression and cultural connection through the power of dance. Known for its dynamic performances and inclusive teaching style, the academy blends traditional and contemporary forms to inspire creativity, confidence, and community. With a commitment to excellence and passion, Reign Yash Dance Academy nurtures dancers of all ages and levels, transforming movement into a celebration of culture, discipline, and joy.
Nazanin Khalatbari | Iranian
Nazanin Khalatbari is an Iranian dancer whose work blends tradition and contemporary expression to tell powerful stories through movement. Drawing from the rich heritage of Persian dance, she weaves fluidity, rhythm, and emotion into her performances, creating a dialogue between cultural memory and modern artistry. Her practice not only preserves the elegance of classical forms but also reimagines them, offering audiences a vibrant and deeply personal interpretation of Iranian dance.
Majd Sukar | Syria
Majd Sukar is a Syrian Canadian Clarinetist whose name has been distinguished in the Toronto music scene for his fusion music and unique sound. His style blends Middle Eastern folk and classical music with Jazz music in unparalleled practice.
.jpg)
Emod Vafa | Iran
Emod Vafa is an acclaimed dance artist, Sufi Whirling Dervish, and staunch advocate for Persian and Middle Eastern culture based in Toronto. His decade-long artistic journey has cultivated a deep connection with Sufi traditions and the teachings of Rumi that distinctly influence his dance mastery.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.
