THE MECCAS OF THE WORLD by ANNE WARWICK invites readers on a captivating journey to some of the world's most iconic and sacred places. In this travelogue, Anne Warwick recounts her adventures and experiences while visiting renowned pilgrimage sites, historical landmarks, and spiritual centers across the globe. From the mystical pyramids of Egypt to the serene temples of Asia, each destination is rich with cultural significance and ancient wisdom. ANNE WARWICK's evocative descriptions and personal reflections capture the essence and spirituality of each location, making the book a compelling and immersive read for armchair travelers and adventurers alike. If you have a thirst for exploration and a fascination with diverse cultures, THE MECCAS OF THE WORLD is a must-read that will transport you to the enchanting corners of our planet.

SamulNori is a percussion quartet which has given rise to a genre, of the same name, that is arguably Korea’s most successful ’traditional’ music of recent times. Today, there are dozens of amateur and professional samulnori groups. There is a canon of samulnori pieces, closely associated with the first founding quartet but played by all, and many creative evolutions on the basic themes, made by the rapidly growing number of virtuosic percussionists. And the genre is the focus of an abundance of workshops, festivals and contests. Samulnori is taught in primary and middle schools; it is part of Korea’s national education curriculum. It has dedicated institutes, and there are a number of workbooks devoted to helping wannabe ’samulnorians’. It is a familiar part of Korean performance culture, at home and abroad, in concerts but also in films and theatre productions. SamulNori uses four instruments: kkwaenggwari and ching small and large gongs, and changgo and puk drums. These are the instruments of local percussion bands and itinerant troupes that trace back many centuries, but samulnori is a recent development of these older traditions: it was first performed in February 1978. This volume explores this vibrant percussion genre, charting its origins and development, the formation of the canon of pieces, teaching and learning strategies, new evolutions and current questions relating to maintaining, developing, and sustaining samulnori in the future.