New York, November 11.Thirty-five days remain before the opening of the 13th Belt and Road International Day (Silk Road Festival) and the World Buddhist Music Festival. According to the New York Secretariat of the World Peace Ribbon Organization, the song The Common Road, titled by Mr. Tian Jiyun and written by Mr. Chen Entian, has been composed into Buddhist music in three languages: Chinese, Myanmar and English, and will be officially released at the World Buddhist Music Festival.
Created in 2015, The Common Road bears the title inscribed by former Vice Premier of the State Council Tian Jiyun, with lyrics and melody composed by Chen Entian, former Chairman of the International 73 Society. It was first premiered and released simultaneously at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing and La Scala Theatre in Milan as a guzheng piece. Later, a guqin version was performed by young Chinese guqin player Chen Can at the press conference of the Belt and Road International Day. Popular vocal versions were also recorded by Chen Entian, Luo Zhiqiang and others.
Representing global civil society, this work inherits the culture of the ancient Silk Road and responds to the Belt and Road Initiative for international cooperation. Aligned with the mission of the World Buddhist Music Festival to build a bridge for civilizational dialogue through Buddhist music, the newly adapted trilingual Buddhist music interprets the aspiration of people-to-people connectivity and harmony between diverse civilizations.
The World Buddhist Music Festival will be held in Mandalay, Myanmar on 16 December 2026, as one of the flagship global events of the 13th Belt and Road International Day (Silk Road Festival). Gathering venerable Sangha members, Buddhist musicians and cultural scholars worldwide, the festival features Buddhist music performances and cross-cultural dialogues. The official premiere of The Common Road in three languages will serve as a highlight of the event, spreading the spirit of the Silk Road through sacred melodies.
Rehearsals and stage preparation for the trilingual Buddhist music are underway, ready to be presented at the grand ceremony in Mandalay.
