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Human RightsUzbekistan

The New Silk Road, an Indian girl band, a Cambodian circus

December 21, 2022

On this week’s show, we’re taking a look at some niche cultural trends in Asia, from a massive New Silk Road project in Uzbekistan, to an unusual Indian band called Womeniya, to a Cambodian circus helping people deal with trauma.

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With the holidays around the corner, it's time to kick back and take in some culture. On this week's show, we're looking to Asia for cultural inspiration.

First, we travel with reporter Heidi Fuller-Love to the ancient Uzbek city of Samakrand. The city was once a trading hub on the Silk Road, and has now built a sprawling complex to the tune of $580 million in the hopes of luring tourists to explore this history, and experience the New Silk Road.

Then, it's off to India for a behind-the-scenes listen to the band Womeniya, which is one of the country's only all-female bands. Reporter Sudeshna Chowdury has more.

Plus, a report from Kris Janssens who caught up with performers from the Cambodian circus school known as Phare. The group is known, among other things, for its performances aimed at helping the audience work through the trauma the country suffered at the hands of the Khmer Rouge.

Kathleen Schuster headshot at DW
Kathleen Schuster Kathleen Schuster is a freelance producer and host of DW’s environment podcast Living Planet
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