City of Poets

Mystic Music and Song of Central Asia – From Khorezm to Kashgar

London, 14 October 2026, 7:30 pm

Brunei Gallery, SOAS (Russell Sq, London WC1B 5DQ)

Abror Zufarov and Saniyam Ismail

and the prominent musicians:

Guzal Muminova, Arslan Gait, Sherzod Nazarov

This concert reunites musicians across the Soviet-Chinese divide through an original exploration of the stunning maqām-based classical repertoire of the Central Asian Uzbek and Uyghur peoples.

A group of leading musicians from different sides of the border, led by Abror Zufarov and Saniyem Ismail, draw on the musical and poetic connections that have been deeply submerged by the forces of 20th-century nationalism to create an extraordinary and inspiring original concert repertoire.

The programme is centred around the 17th-century mystic poet and wandering dervish Baba Rahim Mashrab, who wandered the cities of Central Asia from Namangan to Kashgar, Bukhara to Khotan and whose poetry still inspires musicians on both sides of the divide.

A Central Asian Collaboration

Supported by the London-based research project, Maqām Beyond Nation

Tickets £20 (Front), £15 (Rear)

£5 (SOAS Students) through the SOAS Concert Series

(£1.50 Booking Fee is included in the price)

Please note that seating is on a first-come, first-served basis