Securing the Future of Folk

How young musicians are learning and preserving folk music traditions

Suchet Malhotra by Matt Clark
Sarah-Jane Gibson
Ricardo van Mildert
Maarja Nuut by Taavi Arus
Suchet Malhotra by Matt Clark, Sarah-Jane Gibson, Ricardo van Mildert, Maarja Nuut by Taavi Arus

Chaired by
Suchet Malhotra (India/Belgium), JM International;
with
Sarah-Jane Gibson (South Africa/UK), York St John University;
Ricardo van Mildert (the Netherlands), Muzaic / Moon Jelly Agency / Mildert Management
Maarja Nuut (Estonia), EstTradMusic OÜ;


We are at the end of an era with the passing of renowned masters across various musical traditions. Who will be the next Ali Farka Touré or Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan? Will they emerge from Mali and Pakistan, or could they come from Sweden and Chile? What is the future impact of current methodologies in informal and non-formal learning? What is the role of technology in keeping traditions alive, and can it effectively substitute traditional learning methods?

Ethno, the world's largest folk music program for youth, was established in Sweden in 1990 and is now active in over 40 countries. This programme brings together a panel of experts in research, pedagogy, performance, and technology to address these pressing questions. The discussion will focus on how young musicians are preparing to become the folk music culture-keepers of tomorrow, given the current trends towards rapid urbanisation, modernisation, and digitalisation.

Please note that this session and all conferences held in Conference Room 1 at Manchester Central will include auto-captions (in English) for improved accessibility.