Shawn Conner offers five reasons to check out the annual Global Soundscapes Festival that starts Saturday:

1. Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra:

Formed in 2001, the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra (a.k.a. VICO) showcases new music and collaborations between musicians and composers from different cultural and artistic communities in the Lower Mainland. Global Soundscapes is the group’s annual music festival, now in its fifth year.

2. From kamancheh to santur:

Global Soundscapes 2018 is focusing on instruments and traditions of the Middle East. Examples of the former include Persian string instruments the kamancheh, the setar, the tar, and the tonbak (a drum).

3. Ancient folk tunes, new collabs:

At this year’s festival, audiences can expect “ancient folk tunes that have been transmitted aurally from generation to generation for centuries, rollicking improvised melodies and small ensemble jam sessions ... contemporary classical works ... and world premieres of intercultural pieces by Canadian composers,” according to VICO artistic director Mark Armanini.

4. Master musicians from away:

The festival’s nine concerts feature international guests such as Kayhan Kalhor (a Grammy-nominated setar and kamancheh player who now lives in the U.S.), Kiya Tabassian (setar), and Saeed Mirzazadeh (tar).

5. Local talent:

The festival’s Gala Concert, Notes From the Araxes Basin (June 23) features the 18-piece Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra and guests. These include Vancouverites Saina Khaledi (santur) and Ali Razmi (tar). Vancouver’s Borealis String Quartet also performs (June 20). Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song Dancers) performs at the Opening Concert (June 19), and Vashaan Ensemble headlines a June 24 concert.