BALKAN:MOST a due celebration of Balkan music
Sunshine, uneven rhythms and happy crowds filled Veszprém streets at the largest celebration of current Balkan sounds: BALKAN:MOST. 3 stages in the historic downtown hosted 30 bands for 3 days, giving an extensive sample of the region’s riches, for 7000 visitors. The main world music event of Veszprém-Balaton 2023, European Capital of Culture highlighted a region, paved the way for future collaborations and gifted the joy of music to many.
Sunshine, uneven beats, baklava
Friderika Mike, Program Development Director of Veszprém’s ECoC office welcomed participants by expressing how BALKAN:MOST adorned the city’s cultural profile and professing that Balkan music has always occupied a special place in the city’s heart. Quite literally the case, as festivalgoers experienced Bosnian ska punk, a cappella folk songs or experimental electronica in the city’s historic downtown area. With 32 artists arriving from 9 Balkan countries, BALKAN:MOST offered an unprecedented roll call of the region’s popular and emerging talent. Its scope ranging from R’n’B to jazz, through to rock, sevdalinka, lăutărească and heritage inspired electronica, the festival’s 30 concerts filled Veszprém's streets with a 3-day long journey of musical discovery.
Balkans take over a city of street music
Famed for its street music festivals, and proud bearer of UNESCO’s City of Music title, Veszprém welcomed Balkan cool with open arms. Spontaneous joy of music took over, as a Hungarian folk singer was invited to Daniele Sepe’s gig, or when Koszika entertained with her finger snapping game. Dubioza Kolektiv filled the square of Castle Stage to the brim, with singer Almir Hasanbegović jumping into the crowd and making generations sing along. Oratnitza hyped the crowd so much they couldn’t stop dancing, spontaneous circles formed after the gig was over. All that as a prequel to the loudest bang of balkan beats timed for Saturday. Zarina Prvasevda’s soulful singing shed inhibitions, paving the way for Marina Satti’s sensual R’n’B performance. A lucky thousand could witness as the festival’s odd headliner, Manu Chao administered a ceaseless endorphin flow of a 2,5 hours long concert, to be crowned by the festival’s last act, unconventional cassette magician Lenhart Tapes.
Bridge built through music
The flamboyant street fiesta was accompanied by an equally ambitious professional event with European and Hungarian experts and delegates arriving from the Balkans. As the pinnacle of the four year MOST project, lead by organizers Hangvető BALKAN:MOST conference aimed to connect, conclude and share lessons, and continue the legacy. As programming director and mentor Balázs Weyer put it:
“This is the most important event to show almost everything this project has achieved in these years, like a final exam. Except it already includes the celebration afterwards.”
MOST, meaning bridge in several Slavic languages, supported 32 bands, 100 managers and 60 festivals through mentoring, training, traineeships, stage time and financial assistance. BALKAN:MOST conference celebrated their journey, also paving the way for future collaborations between the Balkans and the rest of Europe.
A growing sum of social capital
“MOST gave us a big boost, and a new network. We learnt a lot about how the music industry works.” Katerina Dimitrovska, of Perija sums up their band’s experience.
Christine Semba from WOMEX and Hangvető’s head of programming Balázs Weyer both highlighted the project’s long-term legacy – the connections and dedication that will remain. Personal networks and continuing the project’s mission were also emphasized by the field’s renowned expert Simon Broughton from Songlines Magazin and notable Balkan professionals Rok Kosir from the Slovenien Music Information Center and Emir Fulurija, the head of the new We Move Music Croatia Croatian Music Export Office. The feedback seemed unanimous, MOST was fruitful, but its mission remains open as Balkan music industry requires further attention and investment.
International delegates got involved with the emerging Balkan music scene, deals were struck, new friendships and collaborations born in the picturesque setting of Veszprém. Hosting such a ground-breaking professional event, the city gained further visibility as a musical hub and cultural center of European scale, giving a plethora of styles and global experts a warm welcome.
