U3A presentation on Silk Road

On Wednesday April 6, at 10am, U3A Helderberg will resume its meetings at the Strand Town Hall after two long years, and to celebrate the occasion, Ona Viljoen, a journalist and communications practitioner, will talk about the great and beautiful city of Samarkand, badly damaged by the Mongol emperor Genghis Khan in 1220, but restored to glory by the tyrant Amir Timur in the late 1300s.

While Timur (aka Tam(b)erlane) was one of the most ruthless invaders in the history of mankind, he also masterminded some of the most stunning mosques, madrasas (Muslim schools) and tombs ever seen along the Silk Road, and had a huge influence on Islamic architecture for centuries to come, including even the Taj Mahal.

Learn more about the ruthless Timur and see some of the fabulous buildings he and his descendants erected, as well as other wonders along the Silk Road.

Also experience the stunning landscapes along the central route of the ancient Silk Road where yurts are still a way of life, and mare’s milk more popular than Coke...

Ona Viljoen and her husband Jan are avid travellers and have visited many exotic destinations, and seen breathtakingly beautiful landscapes along the ancient Silk Road, including those of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

All those attending this meeting are requested to wear masks and to observe the social distancing regulations currently applicable.

For more information, contact Denise Fourie at delvier@mweb.co.za