Milad Yousofi and friends at 'Listen to the World'

We are delighted to welcome virtuoso Rubab player Milad Yousofi to Listen to the World.  Milad is a London-based rubab player, composer, and music producer, working in contemporary Afghan folk, world-jazz, and fusion music. With a deep-rooted passion for Afghan music, Yousofi specializes in introducing and showcasing Afghan musical traditions to non-Afghan and global audiences.  He has been invited to perform at the Houses of Parliament, the White House, and exclusive gatherings for His Majesty King Charles III, Heads of State, Ambassadors, and other international dignitaries. He has created music for radio and television programs, as well as films and theater productions. Milad promotes the precious sounds of Afghanistan's musical traditions and hopes to evolve the genre with his unique musical experience.

About the Rubab

Also known as "the lion of instruments", the rubab is a short necked double-chambered lute and the national instrument of Afghanistan. The body is carved out of a single trunk of a mulberry tree, with a goat skin membrane covering the hollow bowl of the sound-chamber, upon which the bridge is positioned. It has three nylon or gut melodic strings tuned in fourths, three steel drone strings and 11 or 12 steel sympathetic strings.

About Listen to the World

Step off the busy London streets into an oasis of beauty and calm at St Ethelburga's Centre, nestled between corporate scyscrappers near Liverpool Street station. More than a concert, Listen to the World events are intimate evenings full of warmth and connection and where we often have a Q&A with the performers. Come with friends or come on your own. You may meet someone new in the audience, or simply enjoy your own company. Our performers may invite you to join them in song, sound or dance, and you can join in as much or as little as you like. We look forward to welcoming you!

We are immensely grateful to the National Lottery Arts Council England and to Tides Foundation for funding for this programme.