BALKAN TRAFIK! FESTIVAL

19th-21st APRIL 2018 @ BOZAR 22nd APRIL 2018 @ Grand Place of Brussels

PRESS KIT

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SUMMARY

1. PRESS RELEASE .......................................................................... 3

2. PROGRAM ................................................................................. 4 2.1 LINE-UP .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2.2 THE URBAN CHAPTER .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2.3 HAPPENINGS ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2.4 EXPOS ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 2.5 WORKSHOPS .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 2.6 FILMS .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 2.7 GIANT HORO ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3. PRACTICAL INFORMATION ....................................................... 18

4. PARTNERS ............................................................................... 19

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1. PRESS RELEASE The 12th edition of Balkan Trafik is here ! Alighting at the BOZAR from 19 - 22 Apri l 2018, this is the festival that celebrates the cultures of South-Eastern Europe and their relationship with Brussels, the capital of Europe. The programme includes Candan Erçetin, exceptional ‘urban arts’, the best of klezmer music and dub, powerful brass bands and great masters. Furthermore, Bulgaria is given place of honour in this year’s programming. Constantly evolving, Balkan Trafik! has moved forward at the same swift pace as progress in the Balkans. More than 400 artists from every country of South-Eastern Europe, covering all musical styles, will appear on 5 stages. This year, Bulgaria will play a starring role, providing around 100 artists from both Sofia and Plovdiv. Plovdiv, the country’s second largest city, is home to the prestigious Academy of music, dance and fine arts, and has been named European capital of culture for 2019. The whole program will be flavoured with Balkan Trafik’s trademark – a unique atmosphere where lots of artists jam together in an exotic setting. Candan Erçetin, the Turkish singer of Albanian origin, will open the festival on Thursday 19 April. On Friday 20 April , pride of place will be given to a new generation of artists engaged in cultural and social change. "Urban Chapter"will showcase the best of urban sounds from Bosnia-Herzegovina (Frenkie), Serbia (Marčelo), Bulgaria (SkilleR beatboxing), Roumania (Benji Horvath’s amazing slams) or furthermore from Kosovo (BimBimma). From the dynamic Belgian music scene, they’ll meet with Hexaler, Youssef Swat and Convok, among other headliners like DJ Odilon, all providing unique sets of beatbox, slam, hip-hop and urban dance. Also performing will be Dubioza Kolektiv, a well-known Bosnian dub group with politically engaged lyrics, and Džambo Aguševi Orchestra’s brass band, representing the best of modern and traditional music. Finally, Mitsoura, the Rom singer from Hungary with her unmistakably unique sound, will premier her latest creation. On Saturday 21 April , a diverse medley of styles and sounds, unique to Balkan Trafik!, will take to the stage. There’s klezmer music with the unrivalled Amsterdam Klezmer Band accompanied by the Hungarian Tambura band, Söndörgő , and the acclaimed Romanian brass band, Fanfare Ciocăr l ia. Living legends like Savína Yannátou, the embodiment of Albanian iso polyphony of the Albanian National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances and Bulgarian and Serbian polyphonies will also perform. Finally on Sunday 22 Apri l , Brussels’ Grand-Place will host a giant ‘horo’ dance, the traditional communal dance of the Balkans and the Middle East. Open to all, the event will celebrate the diversity of Belgium’s capital. In addition to these highlights, Balkan Trafik! will offer dozens of other concerts, art installations, several exhibitions and lectures but also animations throughout the festival with the Kukeri group from Rakovski (Bulgarie).

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2. PROGRAM

2.1 LINE-UP

♦ Candan Erçetin To open this year's Balkan Trafik Festival, the Turkish singer of Albanian origin Candan Erçetin is proposing a concert of music from Turkey and the Balkans. This now legendary Francophile figure on the Turkish scene debuted with the group Klips ve Onlar when she represented her country in the 1986 Eurovision Song Contest. After studying classical opera at the Istanbul Conservatory she quickly became a household name in Turkey as a host of television and radio programmes. Her first album Hazırım (I am ready), on which she sings songs from Thrace and Macedonia, shot to the top of the charts on its release in 1995. Over the years, success and prizes have followed, including two MCM awards for her video clips. While continuing her television work, in 2009 she was appointed lecturer at Galatasaray University and began to work more closely with international film production. After a career spanning more than 20 years she is now firmly established worldwide as one of the best interpreters of Balkan songs, whether accompanied by historical arrangements or contemporary sounds. 19.04 I 8pm

♦ Fanfare Ciocăr l ia

Fanfare Ciocărlia (literally, the song of the lark) was founded in 1996 by Henry Ernst, when he discovered the brass band of Zece Prajini, a small isolated village in Romania. Recruiting a dozen of the band’s musicians, the German world music aficionado organised a triumphant first tour in his home country. The band has grown since then and now counts 24 musicians as members. They have performed across the world, bringing the tradition inherited from their ancestors alive like never before with the authentic spirit of gypsy music. The dizzying speeds at which they play, the sudden rhythm changes and extraordinary brass sounds, make this band stand out from the others. Playing Balkan grooves for more than 20 years, they are at ease with the gypsy repertoire, performing traditional Romanian songs, or jazz, rock and funk classics. To celebrate their milestone anniversary, they released a new CD titled Onwards to Mars, named ‘Best European Album of 2017’ by the Songlines Music Awards. In this album, Fanfare Ciocărlia explore Romanian folk, as well as contemporary Balkan music, and includes extraordinary musical collaborations, for example with Puerto Candelaria, one of the best Columbian cumbia groups. 21.04 I 00am

♦ Džambo Aguševi Orchestra

The Džambo Aguševi Orchestra is without a doubt the best orchestra in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Džambo’s fame and talent is no coincidence. Born into a family of musicians, he was a child trumpet prodigy. He joined his uncle's orchestra at the age of 11, and that year he recorded his first CD. Winning all the major music competitions – including Serbia's prestigious Guča Festival, which brings together the best musicians in the Balkans – Džambo was soon lending his name to his own brass band. After going on to win every prize imaginable with this band, he was even asked to give other musicians a chance by no longer competing in international competitions! Today he has a large following in the Balkans and other countries where his popularity continues to grow. He is frequently invited to perform in Turkey where he can already boast a brilliant career stretching back a number of years and has played in countries including Australia, the United States, Mexico and across Europe. 20.04 I 11pm

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♦ From East to East From East to East was founded by Polish author-composer and pianist Yaroslav Gawryluk. They perform music from Eastern Europe that combines gypsy, klezmer and even Turkish traditions to create a truly unique sound. The audience is transported to the heart of the Balkans through vocal and instrumental pieces or dances, with accordion, violin, clarinet, classical guitar, double bass and percussion. With a reputation for attention to detail, the members of the group will take you on an exciting musical journey full of diversity. From songs driven by infectious rhythm to works of great emotion, you will find yourself fully immersed in From East to East’s unique atmosphere. 21.04 I 10:15pm & 01:30am

♦ Mitsoura

In the 2000s, Mitsoura was one the best Hungarian ethno-electronic bands, famous for its search for a unique and unusually complex sound – a sound that was sampled by Beyoncé in Drunk in Love and used by director Tony Gatlif in the soundtrack of Gadjo dilo. After a seven year hiatus, the legendary Monika ‘Mitsou’ Miczura, one of the most respected voices of Rom music, and Mark Moldvai, the other historical bulwark of the group, got back together, and joined forces with exceptional musicians such as Andras Jeli, Barna Gabos and Sandor Fodo. Together, they have revisited traditional Rom and authentic folk music by mixing it with a collage of 21st century electro cinematic sounds, sweeping the audience off their feet with breath-taking visual effects. Prepare for a multimedia concert that will live up to Mitsoura’s extraordinary reputation! 20.04 I 10pm

♦ Bubliczki

Founded in 2007, Bubliczki are seven of the most exciting musicians to emerge from the new Polish folk scene. Combining Kashubian culture with klezmer harmonies and Balkan grooves, they have performed hundreds of concerts. Overflowing with energy, Bubliczki are an incarnation of turbofolk, their explosive stage presence combining with the virtuosity of a Rom band! 20.04 I 9pm

♦ Amsterdam Klezmer Band & Söndörgő

SZIKRA is an amazing collaboration between the Amsterdam Klezmer Band from the Netherlands and the Söndörgö group from Hungary. They form an ensemble whose scale, sound quality and stage presence are truly exceptional. The Dutch group has built up a strong international reputation for its performances combining klezmer or gypsy traditions with modern music and dance. Collaborating with the Söndörgö group was an obvious choice. The group has revitalised traditional Balkan music and works wonders with its acoustic string instruments. The sensational result has been immortalised on CD, and you can now hear them live thanks to Balkan Trafik! This will be a performance you won’t forget. 21.04 I 10:30pm

♦ The Albanian National Ensemble of Folk Songs & Dances

Created in 1957, the ensemble includes soloists, dancers, singers and a small orchestra. It highlights the best in musical, instrumental and choreographic talent of Albania’s traditional and contemporary folk repertoire. The National Ensemble of Folk Songs & Dances stands out thanks to its vast programme, which reflects the huge diversity of Albanian traditions, dances, costumes and songs handed down through the generations. The group have become a national and international touchstone, winning many awards. They have also performed on the biggest stages in Europe, the United States, Canada and the Middle East. 21.04 I 7:45pm

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♦ Eda Zari & Byzantine project Born in Albania, Eda Zari grew up in a family of musicians, living and breathing the music of one of the most famous traditional Albanian music groups in the world – Famille Lela dè Përmet. From a young age, she was familiar with the famous ‘iso’ drone (singing in unison) and the ‘kaba’ (powerful) polyphonic and modal instrumental improvisations that are characteristic of ancestral Albanian music. Her training as an opera singer allows her to express the full emotional range through contemporary interpretations. In her latest album, she harnesses her impressive technique to interpret deeply spiritual Byzantine musical harmonies. Eda Zari and her extraordinary musicians take you on an odyssey through cultures and history, from the splendour of Byzantium to the vast open spaces of the Balkans – a project that she recorded with the legendary trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf. 20.04 I 8pm

♦ 'Balkan Express- Orhan Osman feat. Ski l ler. '

Orhan Osman was born in Germany in 1976 to a Greek family with Turkish roots. His own cultural diversity drew him to the bouzouki, of which he has become one of the great international masters. He uses his instrument to explore the musical traditions of the world, in particular the melodies of the Balkans and beyond (Bulgarian, Romanian, Greek, Indian and Turkish). He has collaborated with many musicians including the German Shall Sick Brass Band, the Macedonian Koçani Orchestra, and jazz musicians Horacio Hernandez from Cuba and Dave Wecki from the United States. For Balkan Trafik! he will perform with Bulgarian beatboxer SkilleR, whose international reputation is well established. SkilleR was crowned Bulgarian beatbox champion in 2007 and world champion in 2012, and has some 6 million views on YouTube and 150,000 followers on social media. He has performed in the United States, Europe, China and Japan. Bouzouki and beatbox, an amazing mix of tradition and modernity for a great ethno-jazz experience in Brussels! 21.04 I 8:30pm

♦ Wata Wata

Wata Wata is made up of seven musicians from Brussels who have come together to produce joyful exhilarating music. Singing in Greek, Romany, Yiddish and Arab, they express a universal humanity. The group began with the meeting of a singer and a clarinet player in the small village of Agios Lavrentios in eastern Greece. Together, they mastered the tone and colours of traditional local music. Back in Brussels, they joined up with five other passionate musicians, sharing their little secrets and their great treasures. They were guided by Tcha Limberger, Dimos Vougioukas, Pantelis Stoikos, Stavros Kouskouridas, Aurel Budisteanu, Marcel Ramba and Nicolas Hauzeur. You are invited to join them on an emotional rollercoaster of a journey through a range of musical traditions. 20.04 I 7pm

♦ Tomáš Liška's Invisible World Quartet

The Invisible World Quartet grew out of Tomáš Liška’s encounters with other musicians and through his search for exceptional soloists capable of captivating his audience. Trained at the J. Ježek Conservatoire of Prague and the prestigious Berlin Jazz-Institut with Greg Cohen and John Hollenbeck, he has toured the greatest stages in Europe, North and South America. He will be joined by Efe Turumtay from Istanbul, Nikola Zarić from Serbia and Kamil Slezák from Moravia, bringing their talents and sensitivities to original compositions combining elements of jazz, chamber music and traditional Mediterranean and Balkan music. Their approach is guided by a wider philosophy that sees music as a clear, crystalline medium, radiating a rich palette of emotions awakened by delicate melodies and subtle musical flourishes. The quartet has performed on the biggest international stages and the most famous jazz and world music festivals. Last year, they received the Audience Award from the Ostrava International Music Crossroads. 21.04 I 9:30pm

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♦ Savína Yannátou Studying in her home country and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, the Greek singer Savína Yannátou fell in love with traditional song and founded the group Primavera en Salonico with musicians from Thessaloniki. Together they have recorded eight CDs for the ECM label and have performed all over the world. Savína Yannátou has also composed her own songs and has recorded 21 albums in total. She has collaborated with the likes of bass player Barry Guy, percussionist Baby Sommer and the Canadian ensemble Constantinople, and works with renowned orchestras and Greek composers. Accompanied by an exceptional group of musicians, she performs traditional songs from Thessaloniki, nicknamed the Jerusalem of the Balkans and home to numerous Greek, Jewish, Turkish, Bulgarian, Serbian, Armenian and Pontic communities. Taking old songs as a starting point, they go on a musical journey to recreate the spirit of each community, thanks to the exceptional arrangements of Kostas Vomvolos. 21.04 I 7:30pm

♦ Plovdiv Academy of Music, Dance & Fine Arts

Created in the 1960s, the Academy is one of the most prestigious Bulgarian folk music and dance institutions, in the Balkans and beyond. Hundreds of soloists rising through its ranks now have careers across the world or are part of international ensembles, like some musicians now working with Jordi Savall. Their programme includes modern works as well as folk pieces and songs from different regions of Bulgaria. The Academy’s orchestra is made up of 16 musicians playing traditional instruments (including the kaval, tamboura, gadoulka and gaida) and a choir of 16 young singers. 21.04 I 6:15pm

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2.2 THE URBAN CHAPTER The new urban generation of the Balkans is an intellectual, social, cultural and aesthetic melting pot, giving birth to myriad identit ies and collective representations. The ‘colourful revolution’ in Skopje, Serbian students taking to the street for democracy, the reaction to the Greek crisis or the aff irmation of a modern identity in Prišt ina are al l str iking examples. The Urban Chapter brings together some twenty urban artists from the Balkans and Belgium, with varied styles and experiences, for a unique creation that is the culmination of an artist ic residency. This great concert, mixing rhythms, lyrics, s lam, beatbox and rap, wil l unveil the boundless talents of these representatives of a generation in f lux. The Urban Chapter is a project created in collaboration with Lezarts Urbains

2.2.1 List of the artists in « The Urban Chapter »

Frenkie + Indigo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Bimbimma (Kosovo) Marčelo + Nevena + Rade (Serbia) SkilleR (Bulgaria) Benji Horvath (Roumania) Primitiv (Belgium) Dj Odilon (Belgium) Convok (Belgium) Hexaler (Belgium) Youssef Swatt’s (Belgium) Maky (Belgium) NK (Belgium) Dubioza kolektiv (Bosnia and Herzegovina) BOZKO (Bulgaria)

2.2.2 Residence 12.04. > 22.04 : Bozko (Bulgaria) will make a big wallpainting in the center of Brussels / Sint-Katelijne area. 17.04 : Arrival of the Urban Chapter artists in Brussels. 18.04 & 19.04 : Residence

2.2.3 « The Urban Chapter » concerts

♦ Slam: Benji Horvath, Maky & NK  

Discover the urban poetry of three talented slam artists as texts by Belgian and Romanian artists alternate, driven by a passion for rhythm 20.04 I 7:45pm I 9:20pm I 10:15 I 11:15pm (20 min. each time)

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♦ The Urban Chapter 20.04 I 8pm

20.04 I 10:30pm

♦ Slam: Benji Horvath, Maky & NK  

21.04 I 11:35pm

♦ The Urban Chapter

Dubioza Kolektiv + special guest Frenkie & Dzambo Agusevi. Founded in 2003, Dubioza Kolektiv is a Bosnian group that combines traditional sounds with multiple contemporary influences such as ska, reggae, hip-hop and electro. Dubioza Kolektiv’s talent was hard to miss at a time when the region was in deep stagnation. From the start, the group sought to challenge old habits and shake up the local music scene. After their first album came out in 2004, the group really started making a splash, with songs such as Blam, from the film On the Path by Jasmila Žbanić, the Bosnian director whose Grbavica won the Golden Bear at the 2005 Berlin Film Festival. Acutely sensitive to social issues, Dubioza Kolektiv dedicated their last album Happy Machine to the protests in Turkey and the Syrian migrant crisis, focusing on those left to fend for themselves amid general indifference. Breaking down boundaries – both geographical and artistic – the group has worked with artists such as Manu Chao, Benji Webbe of Skindred, and the genius trumpeter Džambo Aguševi. Taking the stage with Džambo Aguševi and rapper Frenkie, winner of an MTV Europe Music Award, Dubioza Kolektiv will dive into the hip-hop universe explored by the Urban Chapter. 20.04 I 00:30am

 2.2.4 Round tables

♦ Bulgaria: Live It or Leave It

BOZAR has commissioned an installation from Bulgarian artist Nedko Solakov, as part of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. For his work, which is displayed in the Horta Hall, the artist put the following question to six creative personalities from Bulgaria: “Why do you live in Bulgaria (or go back there from time to time)?” Behind this apparently simple question lies a series of deeper questions about Bulgarian society, including problems such as corruption, poverty or economic migration. The round table participants will debate these various issues. Speakers: performer Ivo Dimchev, singer Ruth Koleva, director Javor Gardev and curator Iara Boubnova. Moderator: Anna Krasteva, professor at the New Bulgarian Universit 21.04 I 2pm

♦ Urban Balkan reality and EU dreams

The reality of the Balkans is a patchwork of different centres of influence and visions of the past and the future. What is the centre and where is the periphery, as seen from different perspectives? What vision of Europe can urban artists in the Balkans have? What does the European Union offer southeastern Europe through its Creative Europe programme? The discussions will start after performances from three urban artists who will act as representatives for their cities. Participants: Frenkie(B-H), Marčelo (SE), & Bimbimma (XK), Genoveva RUIZ CALAVERA, director Western Balkans at European Commission and two members of Creative Europe : Balkan Design Network et NE©XT Accelerator. Moderator: Rozita Dimova from the University of Ghent. 21.04 I 4pm

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 2.3 HAPPENINGS

Apart from our concerts and films, there will be a series of events and ongoing activities over the weekend of 21st-22nd of April, plunging you deep into the unbelievable cultural diversity and global experience that make this festival stand out. Vino Zirkus – a now cult space that hosts jam sessions between musicians, meetings and dances – brings together artists and members of the public in an informal setting. At the same time, the life and soul of the Balkans will be pulsing through the corridors and rooms around the Grande Salle Henry le Bœuf, with dance, music, singing, exhibitions and even food! Meanwhile, the Salle Terarken offers workshops where you can learn how to make Bulgarian spring bracelets and try Romanian glass painting. It will also host poetry and slam events from the Urban Chapter, and even a one-man show on the region’s heritage. The best quality performers, a huge variety of repertoires, an unbelievably warm and welcoming atmosphere, interaction between musicians and the audience; you just can’t go wrong. Welcome to Balkan Trafik!

Friday 20.04

♦ Music: Vatra (AL/BE) & The Albanian National Ensemble of Folk Songs & Dances (AL)   20.04 I 7pm

♦ Music: Kukeri from Rakovski (BG)  

The Kukeri gather between 30 and 50 artists between the ages of 8 and 60, originally from the village of Rakovsky in Bulgaria. They perform the ceremony of forgiveness, a Bulgarian spring tradition that is part of UNESCO’s list of the intangible heritage of humanity. The young seek forgiveness from their elders, who grant it to them by saying: “You are forgiven by me and by God.” The tradition also includes food rituals, with the participants expected to eat 12 times, as the ceremony takes place on the eve of the Lent fast leading up to Easter. This folk tradition is represented in the form of a play featuring several characters and many magical dances. The Kukeri wear more than 20 impressive masks, up to 2.5 metres high, with extraordinary costumes, some up to 4 metres high. According to tradition, the Kukeri go from village to village to chase away the evil spirits and ensure health, wealth, and abundant harvests. The Kukeri have won several awards, including from the Surva International Festival of Kukeri at Pernik in Bulgaria. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness this bright and colourful show that brings a beautiful tradition to life. 20.04 I 8:45pm I 00am

♦ Music: Somos Ensemble (HU)  

Immerse yourself in the folk music of one of the most ancient Hungarian minorities, the Csángós, whose repertoire is listed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. 20.04 I 8:45pm I 11:40pm

♦ Music: Brussels Balkan Orchestra (BE) & Plovdiv Folk Stars (BG)

The Brussels Balkan Orchestra is a collective of professional and amateur musicians that emerged from Balkan music workshops led by Nicolas Hauzer in Brussels. The group mostly plays hits from the popular repertoire discovered during various musical trips through Romania, Bulgaria and Greece, reinterpreted as delicate sensual orchestral versions. Faithful to its spirit of cultural openness, the Brussels Balkan Orchestra will take part in the Vino Zirkus, welcoming soloists to share a special moment of musical celebration and joy that is typical of the festival’s warm and friendly atmosphere. 20.04 I 9:15pm

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♦ Music: Svetlana Spajic (RS)  Microtonal chant, ancestral vocal techniques and staggering ornamentations rise from the depths of time thanks to Svetlana Spajić. Strong emotions guaranteed! 20.04 I 9:35pm

♦ Music: Amel Hamidovic (BA)  

20.04 I 11:35pm

♦ One-man show: EU-Western Balkans Cultural Heritage route (EU)  

Five specialists of the cultural heritage route shared by the European Union and the Western Balkans take you travelling with a one-man show. 20.04 I 10pm I 11:35pm

♦ Music: Plovdiv Academy of Music, Dance & Fine Arts: choir (BG)  

20.04 I 11:35pm

♦ Music + Dance: The Albanian National Ensemble of Folk Songs & Dances (AL)  

20.04 I 00:10am

♦ Music: Brussels Balkan Orchestra (BE)  

20.04 I 01:30am

Saturday 21.04

♦ Music: Kukeri from Rakovski (BG)   21.04 I 6pm I 10pm I 11:35pm I 01:30am

♦ Music: Ceylan Taci quatuor (AL)  

21.04 I 6:30pm I 11:15pm

♦ Music: Somos Ensemble (HU) & Ensemble Világfa (BE)  

21.04 I 7pm I 11:15pm

♦ Music: Iso-polyphonie (AL) & Polyphonie (BG)  

21.04 I 6:50pm

♦ One-man show: One-man show EU-Western Balkans Cultural Heritage route (IT)  

21.04 I 7:20pm I 8:15pm I 10:10pm

♦ Music: Svetlana Spajic (RS)  

21.04 I 8pm

♦ Music: Plovdiv Academy of Music, Dance & Fine Arts: orchestra & choir (BG) Music from The

Rodopi Mountains 21.04 I 11:35pm

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♦ Poetry & cifteli by VLERA (AL)  VLERA, the union of Albanian students in Belgium is putting on an Albanian poetry reading with musical accompaniment on the çifteli (traditional Albanian instrument). 21.04 I 9pm

♦ Music: Salonika Trio (GR)  

Rebetiko at its best! Three musicians carry you away with their ‘Balkan blues’, urban music for migrants which originated in Thessalonica. 21.04 I 9:15pm

♦ Music: Plovdiv Academy of Music, Dance & Fine Arts: orchestra & choir (BG) Music from The

Strandzha Mountains 21.04 I 11:45pm

♦ Music: Somos Ensemble (HU)  

21.04 I 00:30am

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2.4 EXPOS  

♦ Street art Belgrade (RS)  The Street Art Belgrade exhibition is a historic overview of street art in the Serbian capital. From aphorisms and stencils to complex graphic solutions, letters and frescoes, discover the increasingly vibrant graffiti and street art scene of Belgrade. Aleksandar Đorđević, a Serbian photographer, graphic designer and translator is the man behind the exhibition. Having spent much of his life in Germany, his work began in Berlin before focusing on Belgrade after he returned home. Convinced that street art is an urban art form in its own right – which therefore needs to be preserved, documented and shared – he has taken more than 8,000 photos - a veritable goldmine! The exhibition brings together a fascinating selection, which speaks not only of the inventiveness of the Belgrade street scene, but also of the life of its inhabitants as reflected, embodied and expressed in these works.

♦ Some Bulgarians – Nedko Solakov (BG)

Bulgarian artist Nedko Solakov created a video installation, commissioned by BOZAR, for Bulgaria’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2018. Some Bulgarians consists of six videos, which will be simultaneously and continuously on view in BOZAR’s Horta Hall. He explains the concept of the installation in the following text that will be handwritten by the artist on the wall above the screens: I was recently invited by a prominent European art institution to reflect on a political issue, something which I have never done before, and to create a project dedicated to my homeland Bulgaria’s six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, scheduled for the first half of 2018, after the Estonian presidency and before Austrian one. A work connected to my Bulgaria, which I deeply love, but which is arguably the poorest and most corrupt of all the 28 European member-states. Without much hesitation, I decided to ask only one question to six of the most creative Bulgarians (in my opinion). Some of them I have known for many years, others I met in person because of this project, but all of them already had a place in my mind and heart because of what they have written, performed, sung, animated, staged and curated not only in Bulgaria but all over the world. They all agreed to respond in front of a camera and I am deeply grateful to Georgi Gospodinov, Ivo Dimchev, Ruth Koleva, Theo Ushev, Javor Gardev and Iara Boubnova that their answers gave me six more reasons to write this very text from Sofia and not from somewhere in exile. Here is the question, which is not really relevant to any other EU country's citizens: Why do you live in Bulgaria (or go back there from time to time)?

♦ Balkan Photo Festival (B-H)

The exhibition presents a selection of images taken from the Balkan Photo Festival between the years 2010 and 2017. Held every year in Sarajevo, this festival presents 90 photographs covering subjects as diverse as the cultural heritage, the environment, fashion, sport, and many other facets of everyday life. The images are selected by an international jury. Created by Urban Association, the Balkan Photo Festival benefits from the support of the European Commission through the Creative Europe Programme. The exhibition will be inaugurated by Haris Čalkić, vice president of URBAN Association and director of the Balkan Photo Festival, and Christian Danielsson, Director-General for EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission.

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♦ Horo Energetic Steps The travelling exhibition “Follow the Footsteps” aims to present 34 of the most popular Bulgarian folklore dances by their footsteps, depicted on posters. Every dance, performed in circle and visually represented through its steps, has an authentic and unique pattern. The time signature is depicted on the posters by different number of lines in the background using the distinctive colours of Bulgarian folklore costumes.

♦ Balkan Trafik 12th years Relive twelve years of Balkan Trafik at Milena Strange’s photographic exhibition! The photographer has captured the atmosphere and emotion of these unique moments.

♦ Strati lautari – Klaus Reimer Gypsy, in 1989, the village of Taraf de Haidouks and Mahala Rai Banda. A meeting with the photographer Klaus Reimer who, with Stef Karo, met them before they became these mythical artists.

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2.5 WORKSHOPS Friday 20.04

♦ Music: Dzambo Aguševi Orchestra (MK)  

20.04 I 10:30am > 12pm I 1pm > 2:30pm

♦ Craft: martenizi "spring bracelets"" (BG) & glasspainting (RO)

Rebeca Dan brings the ancient art of glass painting from Maramures to life. A peasant tradition kept alive by the local population. 20.04 I 7pm > 8pm I 9:15pm > 10:30pm I 11:15pm > 00:15am Saturday 21.04

♦ Dance: Plovdiv Academy of Music, Dance & Fine Arts (BG)  

21.04 I 2pm

♦ Music: Traditional Csango Music (HU)

21.04 I 3pm

♦ Craft: martenizi "spring bracelets"" (BG) & glasspainting (RO)

21.04 I 7pm > 8pm I 9:15pm > 10:30pm I 11:15pm > 00:15am

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2.6 FILMS

♦ I see red people, Bojina Panayotova (BG/FR) In the presence of the director

20.04 I 8pm | BG/FR, 2018, 84’, OV, EN ST. When the Iron Curtain fell in 1989, Bojina was eight years old. A short time after, her father, an artist, moved with her from Bulgaria to live in Paris. Twenty years later, this young woman returns to Sofia on her own, intent on documenting everything. She senses that there is something unspoken in her family's past. Why were they always able to travel? Were her parents privileged? Bojina starts to confront them with uncomfortable questions. She learns that a good friend of her mother’s worked for the Bulgarian secret service and met her regularly to quiz her about her foreign contacts; she also learns that her father sold his paintings to members of the secret service. With a high degree of self-reflection, Bojina digs deeper into her family history and gets into an argument with her parents that escalates into a dispute about loyalty, post-communist arrogance and the right to one’s own history. Director Bojina Panayotova assembles archival footage, old family films and interviews to create a multi-layered, at times humorously exaggerated collage of sounds and images about a journey into the past which, once ended, will allow her to make a better start on her own future.

♦ Facedown, Kamen Khalev (BG/FR/BE)

In the presence of the director 21.04 I 8pm | BG/FR/BE, 2015, 110’, OV, EN ST. After Eastern Plays and The Island, Kamen Kalev delves into the world of human trafficking with Face Down. Sam is a Frenchman accused of smuggling counterfeit money from Bulgaria to France. To avoid jail, he becomes an informer for the French police, joining under cover a Bulgarian channel for human trafficking. Gradually, he falls in love with Elka, an underage gypsy prostitute. Torn by the pressure from all sides, he almost turns into an unscrupulous pimp. His feelings for the girl will help him keep the last thing he has – his dignity. The film is based on a true story.

     

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2.7 GIANT HORO  Horo is a traditional dance accompanied by music that is common across Balkan and Middle Eastern countries. The spontaneity of its movements is designed to celebrate the joy of being together, united through dance. Troupes from different Balkan countries and southeastern European diaspora communities will come together for a huge party to celebrate the Brussels’ diversity. With the participation of artists from the Plovdiv Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts (Bulgaria), the Kukeri of Rakovsky (Bulgaria), the Veliko Tarnovo dance troupe (Bulgaria), the Vatra dance troupe (Albanian diaspora in Brussels), Somos (csángó minority of Hungary), the VILÁGFA dance troupe (Hungarian diaspora of Brussels), and the KUD Behar dance troupe (Bosnian diaspora of Liège). The event is sponsored by Alderwoman for the City of Brussels, Karine Lalieux, and Eva Maydell, Member of the European Parliament. 22.04 I 1pm >6pm

         

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3. PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Date: 19 - 22 april. Location: BOZAR, Ravenstein street 23, 1000 Brussels. Coproduction : BOZAR & 1001 valises. Entrance: 20€ presale and 25€ at the door. www.balkantrafik.com

 

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4. PARTNERS 1001Valises BOZAR NIS Blue Air Euronews Lezart Urbains ( partner Urban Chapter) FWB COCOF Loterie Nationale Loterij BIJ Vlaamse Overheid Brussels-Capital Region Brussels city Wallonie-Bruxelles International Vlaamse Gemeenschap Commissie VGC European Parliament European Commission Plovdiv Capitale of Culture 2018 Jaar van de contestatie/2018 année de la contestation Bulgarian Presidency Eva Maydell (MEP Bulgarije) AER Balassi Institute Association Culturelle Bulgare Yunus Emre Brussel Ambassade of Serbia Romanian Cultural Institute Vlera (Albanian Student Organisation) Albanie- Ministry of Culture – national Ensemble Kopanica Courrier des Balkans PRESS BALKAN TRAFIK

General Manager: Séverine Provost Project Coordinator: Astrid Dubié astrid@beculture.be - + 32 465 89 78 77 T: + 32 2 644 61 91 - info@beculture.be - www.beculture.be