Who We Are
SILK ROADS is a non-profit arts organization of the best artist-educators specializing in traditions from the Middle-East and beyond.
We offer workshops, performances and entertainment to schools, museums, festivals and private events.
The artists are handpicked practitioners in storytelling, arts, crafts, Middle-Eastern music, and dance ― and they are equally experienced as workshop educators to adults and children.
We promise:
- to entertain ― all our workshops and events are exciting and interactive
- to educate ― using the inspiration of the Silk Roads, a symbol of artistic ferment and cultural tolerance
- to include ― the workshops are suitable for young and old, male and female, and for all backgrounds
Khaled Hakim
Learned to play the daf (Sufi frame-drum) in the ceremonies of a Sufi Order. He is a musician and leader of Silk Roads Ensemble, as well as a teacher of Sufi drumming. He's led drumming projects at South Bank Centre, V&A, Globe Theatre, and numerous workshops with schools, museums, and festivals. Khaled is director and events organizer for Silk Roads.
Alia Alzougbi
Lebanese Alia Alzougbi is a professional storyteller and actor with an MA in Applied Theatre. A dynamic performer and adaptor of traditional tales, she received a BAFTA nomination in 2009 for her starring role in the BBC feature film 'Trouble Sleeping'. She is also our dabka performer and workshop leader (the traditional community dance found all over the Middle-East).
Rezia Wahid MBE
Award-winning Rezia Wahid is an innovative hand-weaver/artist whose work is feted by both craft and contemporary art circles. She has exhibited in Japan, USA, and Egypt, with a major solo exhibition at the Craft Study Centre in 2007/8 and a forthcoming solo show at The City Gallery in Leicester. She is Silk Roads lead arts and crafts educator, giving workshops in batik and other crafts, and live art demonstrations. Rezia was given the Alhambra Award for Excellence in Art in 2004 and an MBE in 2005.
All the workshop teachers have CRB enhanced disclosures and experience of teaching both adults and children.
Mission Statement
- To foster greater awareness and appreciation of the arts and spirituality inspired by the Silk Road.
- To create more opportunities for people to participate in events showcasing artforms inspired by the Silk Road.
- To foster greater community cohesion and mutual respect through workshops, events, and exhibitions.
- To present a wider perspective on arts and culture from the Islamic world to Muslim and non-Muslim alike.
- To provide the highest quality artist-educators