“People express and celebrate the rich diversity of cultural identities in Europe through folk and traditional music and associated performing arts” European Folk Network.
This vision of the young pan-European network born in 2019 to protect and promote Europe's folk and traditional music and dance was at the core of EFN's second conference that was hosted last week by the Hungarian Heritage House. Our hosts were fantastic, and it was so nice to meet in-person friends and colleagues from all over Europe after so long time.
The conference program was full of inputs by various experts and the discussion groups produced interesting ideas. All participants enjoyed the evening at Fono Dance House for a dinner and group dance lesson, as well as the closing concert event with Enyedi Ágnes & Soma Salamon Duo, Magos folk band, Babra & The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble. The tour of the Hungarian Heritage House archive was more than instructive.
It was also very inspiring to hear about amazing projects taking place in the region, like the Polyphony Project and the MOST Project. They could be replicated in various parts of Europe.
If you’re not yet a member of EFN, join the network as an individual or organisation/company. It’s full of promises and a very exciting venture.
article posted by:Eric van Monckhoven, Music4you + World Music Lab