Balkan Festival Guide 2022 – MOST Music by mostmusiceu

BALKAN FESTIVAL GUIDE 2022

Featuring festivals selected by the MOST Music programme

Published by MOST Music Editors: Klára Nagy, András Sőrés, Ella Csarnó, Sára Venczel, Erzsébet Levandovsky Graphic design: Nur Mohammed This booklet is free of charge. MOST Music is supported by Creative Europe, the European Union’s framework programme for the cultural sector. 2022

mostmusic.eu @mostmusiceu

INTRODUCTION

MOST is a truly one of a kind European project that offers financial support, and maybe even more importantly, personal connections between the Balkans and other regions of the old continent. Although it wasn’t planned with the pandemic in mind, MOST is ready to offer support to the battered music industry. About opportunities, open calls and more info, visit mostmusic.eu or follow us on social media, @mostmusiceu.

FESTIVALS IN

THE BALKANS

ARTE FEASTIVAL Where: Velingrad, Bulgaria When: 26–28 August, 2022 Web: www.artefeastival.bg

ARTE Feastival is the first international family festival, located in the spa capital of Bulgaria, Velingrad. This unique three-day family celebration offers a first class world music program. Visitors can also find comedy, stand-up shows, live star chef demonstrations and a stage just for kids and teenagers. ARTE has amazing options for the entire family: the fun goes for three days, 15 hours a day.

D FESTIVAL Where: Dojran, North Macedonia When: 1–3 July, 2022 Web: www.dfestival.mk/en

D Festival is a unique event on the Dojran coast. Best described as a special three-day multimedia experience, contributed by the thousands of fans who visit every year, and the best artists from the local, regional and world scene. Year by year the festival sets up its tents on the Dojran coast and offers its visitors a creative 3-day program, filled with artistic, sport and social activities.

ETNOFEST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Lake Palić, Serbia When: 21–26 June, 2022 Web: www.etnofest.org

ETNOFEST World music festival, annually scheduled in June, is one of the rare world music festivals on the crossroads of Central and South-East Europe with the Balkans. Serving the finest music to its audience for the past two decades, it brings together the local artists with their colleagues from all over the world. The profile of the festival is rather considered as alternative and exploratory – allowing musical fusions and experiments to happen on its stages, but also highly appreciates the roots and tradition as a true value to be nurtured and preserved.

ESTAM WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Botanical Garden, Kragujevac, Serbia When: 12–13 August, 2022 Web: www.facebook.com/estam.wmf

ESTAM is a two day world music festival that has already presented artists such as Damir Imamovic, Sona Jobarteh, Boris Kovac, Elina Duni, Naked, Oratnitza and more. After the first 2 winter editions, ESTAM became an open air summer festival, this year held in the magical ambience of the local botanical garden.The goal of ESTAM is to promote and connect international musicians, exchange experiences and best practices and to diversify the local music scene.

FESTIVALI ARTISTEVE TE RRUGES – FESTIVAL OF STREET PERFORMERS Where: Tirana, Albania When: 18–19 June, 2022 Web: www.instagram.com/doart.al

The Festival of Street Performers is one of a kind – the street party brings together young and passionate artists from Albania and abroad. They perform in different artforms, always near a cultural monument, changing location each year. Their goal is to bring attention to local roots through contemporary and boundless street arts. The Festival of Street Performers is open for similar collaborations abroad.

FESTIVAL ȘARAIMANIC WORLD Where: Brezoi, Romania When: 29–31 July, 2022 Web: www.facebook.com/Saraimanic.world

Romania, the home of Gypsy music, welcomes performers from the Balkans, Africa and Latin America in a fairytale-like natural location, Brezoi. Besides its aim to create a micro-universe of fantasy, Șaraimanic is a cultural movement that wants to change the perception of Gypsy music in Romania, shedding light on this important segment of a global culture and world music.

GOULASH DISKO FESTIVAL Where: Komiža, Croatia When: 14–18 September, 2022 Web: www.goulashdisko.com

Goulash Disko Festival is a crowdfunded event, a fun party which has long been representing music genres rooted in the global underground: you will find Gypsy punk, latintronics, Bollywood funk, dub, ethnic, downtempo electronica, and even more here. Both well known artists and young talents play at the festival, which, in turn, helps develop the island, making the tourist season of Komiža longer, and bringing art and culture to the village.

JAZZ FACTORY FESTIVAL Where: Bitola, North Macedonia When: 7–9 July, 2022 Web: www.jff.mk

In the past couple of years, Jazz Factory Festival has grown into a recognizable brand in the city of Bitola. Jazz Factory is an established festival on the Macedonian and European jazz scene, known for nurturing contemporary and progressive music with a focus on domestic and regional artists. It has been recognised by the European Association of Festivals (EFFE) with the Remarkable Arts Festival award and is also a part of the regional association of Jazz Festivals, connecting cities from Ravne to Bitola.

KAMIČAK ETNO FESTIVAL Where: Sinj, Croatia When: 26–27 August, 2022 Web: www.facebook.com/KamicakEtnoFestival

Kamičak Etno Festival presents a vast array of cultures and minorities through a contemporary interpretation of traditional music. Thus the festival contributes to cultural exchange by promoting solidarity and multicultural understanding. They fight for representation of different cultures and geographical regions, while also promoting local musical traditions.

KVAKA 22 Where: Belgrade, Serbia Opening Hours: 5 PM–1 AM/4AM Summer Opening Hours: According to program, closed in August Web: www.kvaka22.com

Although not a festival, Kvaka 22, the Serbian club named after Catch 22 is a must on music lovers’ Balkan bucket list! Kvaka 22 is an NGO by young artists, for young artists. Although it started as a DIY venue, it is now one of the most recognized venues for bands touring the Balkans. Kvaka 22 is also one of the most important galleries in Belgrade. The club is trying to select different genres and artists to satisfy the audience’s curiosity – they experiment by pairing artists from different genres on the same night.

LOKUM FEST Where: Bitola, North Macedonia When: 21–23 July, 2022 Web: www. lokumfest.mk

Lokum fest is a unique etno-fusion and world music festival, a three-day celebration of ethno-fusion and world music that holds a trade fair for creatives. The event’s home is an ancient, 15th century Turkish bazaar in Bitola. „Lokum” comes from an old custom: to have a coffee with your neighbours. This is a beautiful ritual of the Balkans, where people from different cultures, religions or classes can meet.

MÉRA WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL Where: Méra, Romania When: 4–7 August, 2022 Web: www.meraworldmusic.com/en

Méra is a mostly Hungarian village in Transylvania with a rich folk culture, some lovely old houses and home to several fine musicians. The festival was first organised in 2016 and since then people from over 25 countries have visited. Each year 12-14 bands from all over the world play on the festival’s barn-stage: it’s a meeting place of local folk musicians and international world music artists.

OLD TOWN STREET FEST Where: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina When: 26–27 August, 2022 Web: www.facebook.com/oldtownstreetfestmostar

Old Town Street Fest in Mostar is a true city-wide festival with 6-7 stages. Music, dancing and fun take over the picturesque Balkan town. Locals and tourists claim public spaces and historical monuments they party on the bridges, caves and piazzas of Mostar’s Old Town. The festival brings music and shows right to the heart of the city and lasts for two evenings with over 20 performers and DJs.

ŠPANCIRFEST Where: Varaždin, Croatia When: 19-28 August, 2022 Web: www.spancirfest.com

Every year, Špancirfest offers its visitors a rich concert programme: they bring the best European and world street performers and young musicians to the city. There are also acrobats and other entertainers, theatre performances, a wide range of children’s attractions, the festival’s innovative and creative programme features music, workshops and open-air acts.

TIVAT WORLD FESTIVAL

photo: Miko Djuricic

Where: Tivat, Montenegro When: 9–11 Sept, 2022 Web: www.facebook.com/tivatworld

Tivat World takes place in the Boka Bay, their home is the most sunny town in Montenegro - Tivat. The lineup is mixed: many artists are local, from Montenegro, or regional, from the Balkans. The international artists come from all around the world. Tivat World is a small world in one place where you can find music events, street art, workshops and public debates in the spirit of the festival.

VRELO ZVUKA Where: Mochvara club, Zagreb, Croatia When: Every month Web: www.facebook.com/vrelozvuka www.mochvara.hr

Vrelo Zvuka is a project launched in 2017 in the Mochvara Club in Zagreb, Croatia. Their most important goal is to offer a place for promotion to Croatian and Balkan performers but they also organise concerts of artists from all over the world. As a part of the program, they launched the “New Croatian Ethno Scene” concert series and they regularly hold workshops, forums and similar events.

WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL “TODO MUNDO” Where: Belgrade, Serbia When: 24–27 September, 2022 Web: www.facebook.com/TodoMundoWorldMusicFestival www.ringring.rs/todo-mundo-festival

World Music Festival “Todo Mundo” presents artists from all continents of the world, be it well known performers or hidden gems, artists from the diaspora and those who are still working in the difficult situation in Serbia. Beside concerts, Todo Mundo offers workshops and special programs for kids.

WORLD MUSIC FEST ZEMAN Where: Novi Pazar, Serbia When: 28-30 July, 2022 Web: www.zemanfest.com

A fresh discovery amongst festivals, World Music Fest Zeman is set in the exciting Serbian cultural hub of Novi Pazar, and is curated by renowned musicians of the region. The festival’s programme is characterised by performances of outstanding guest musicians from all around the world, workshops within the festival that are open to all, as well as the “Voice of Zeman” competition for ethno and Balkan music interpretations, which receives more applications every year.

photo: ©Neményi Márton 2022

WHAT IS

MOST MUSIC

The mission of MOST Music is to boost the music market of the Balkans by connecting and supporting actors of the world music scene; artists, managers, festivals, clubs and institutions. MOST builds a bridge connecting the Balkans and the global music market, a bridge made up of personal connections, experience and exchange. This Creative Europe-supported project channels the amazing potential and exciting cultural mix of the South East European region into the larger European circulation. MOST is focused on creating buzz around the contemporary Balkan music brand, actively looking beyond the stereotypes. The festivals and club listed in this guide are all part of the still ongoing MOST Music programme – they are the Balkan events and institutions that were selected for one of our four programme pillars: the Festival & Club Exchange. Learn more and join MOST:

www.mostmusic.eu

OPEN CALLS

– WHAT WE OFFER

MOST - The Bridge for Balkan Music We support and connect world music professionals.

OPEN CALLS

MOSTMUSIC.EU Facebook, Instagram, Twitter:

@MOSTMUSICEU THE MOST MUSIC NETWORK BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts European Music Council EXIT Foundation Bulgarian Music Association Hangvető Piranha Arts Password Production Pro Progressione REK Remont Kapital Culture Center Songlines Timișoara 2023 European Capital of Culture

APPLY NOW!

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 2022

ARTISTS FROM THE BALKANS

Are you ready to show your music internationally? Financial support and workshops with worldwide renowned experts.

CLUBS & FESTIVALS FROM ANY EUROPEAN COUNTRY

Funding, mentorship, artist exchange & mutual visits.

MANAGERS, BOOKERS, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FROM SOUTH EAST EUROPE

Training, networking, internships at the most prestigious world music institutions of Europe

MOSTMUSIC.EU MEET US AND MOST ARTISTS AT EXIT FESTIVAL, NOVI SAD, 7–10 JULY 2022

ABOUT

OUR PARTNERS

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS Hangvető is the leader of the network running the MOST Music project. Hangvető organises world music festivals such as Budapest Ritmo, training programs such as CEU Summer University courses, and develops cultural strategy, with a special expertise in UNESCO Music Cities and European Capitals of Culture. The company won the right to host WOMEX in 2015 and ‘20. www.hangveto.hu

EXIT Foundation is part of the EXIT Festival team that focuses on social activism. EXIT is one of the greatest music festivals of Central Eastern Europe, deeply rooted in youth social activism. This activism is in the heart of the festival, that EXIT founders never separate from the music spectacle it stands for. www.exitfest.org/en

Password Production has a past of more than 20 years in the music and entertainment industry and hosted over 1000 international acts. Password Production has so far organised the largest festivals in North Macedonia (Taksirat, D Festival, Green Beach, PIN Music Conference, Skopje Beer Fest). www.password.mk

Bozar, the Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels organises more than 12 cultural events per day and attracts 1 million visitors each year. It is a driving force behind international artistic initiatives designed to strengthen ties in Europe and with other continents. www.bozar.be

Piranha Arts is a Berlin-based independent creative company. They travel Europe with the leading showcase, conference and expo event of the world music industry, WOMEX, and Classical:NEXT – the global gathering for all art music professionals. www.piranha-arts.com

Songlines is the definitive magazine for world music – music that has its roots in all parts of the globe. The London-based magazine has been a source of music knowledge since 1999. www.songlines.co.uk

ReK – Remont Kapital Culture Center is an interdisciplinary and international team (Albanian, Italian and Belgian) involved in arts, music, architecture, design, urban planning, and performing. www.facebook.com/RemontKapitalPage

Bulgarian Music Association

The Bulgarian Music Association is the biggest representative music organization in Bulgaria. Its main aim is to create the appropriate and efficient cultural environment the Bulgarian performing artists deserve. www.bgma.bg

Timișoara 2023 – European Capital of Culture Association The Association for the European Capital of Culture (originally planned for 2021, rescheduled for 2023) in Timișoara, Romania is a proud member of the MOST Music consortium. www.timisoara2023.eu/en

The European Music Council (EMC) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the development and promotion of all genres and types of music in Europe. As part of the International Music Council (IMC), the EMC strategies and actions are based on the IMC’s 5 music rights. www.emc-imc.org

Pro Progressione (Associated Partner) is a socially engaged cultural hub, an independent organisation working towards the creation and support of an open and diverse culture. www.proprogressione.com/en/pro-progressione

MAP OF PARTNERS

PIRANHA ARTS AG BERLIN GERMANY

LONDON UNITED KINGDOM

SONGLINES

BRUXELLES BELGIUM

BOZAR - PALAIS DES BEAUX ARTS

EUROPEAN MUSIC COUNCIL EV BONN GERMANY

HANGVETO BUDAPEST HUNGARY

ASOCIATIA TIMISOARA 2021 CAPITALA EUROPEANA A CULTURII TIMISOARA ROMANIA

FOUNDATION EXIT NOVI SAD SERBIA

BULGARIAN MUSIC ASSOCIATION PASSWORD PRODUCTION TIRANA ALBANIA

SOFIA BULGARIA

SKOPJE NORTH MACEDONIA

REK REMONT KAPITAL - BALLKAN WORLD MUSIC MANAGEMENT