‘Balkan Trafik’

This first day will be modern, innovative and provocative

With, for example, the Turkish star Gaye Su Akyol, figurehead of a new and progressive artistic wave in Istanbul that combines tradition and modernity. Her lyrics evoke romantic themes infused with a new critical dimension. Her musical universe combines the rhythms and strings of the Middle East with the sounds of rock.

You enter another world with the famous Zdob și Zdub from Moldavia, one of those all too rare bands to achieve the perfect alchemy between traditional music and punk rock to deliver a breathtakingly powerful show.

Not forgetting the phenomenon that is the New York Gypsy All-Stars : hypnotic jazz, pure emotion and a masterly Macedonian clarinet accompanied by musicians who transcend the genre.

And a final example for the road with the psychedelic rock of Baba Zula. They are said to be the personification of Istanbul in all its extravagant diversity. Several of their albums were mixed by the genius Mad Professor and the group has been all the rage in underground circles for almost 20 years now.

Throughout the long weekend it is also the culture of ALL the countries of southeast Europe that you will experience. The music of course, but also a selection of the region's best films thanks to the cooperation between Balkan Trafik and the Sarajevo Film Festival, and not forgetting the traditional Vino Zirkus, the place to be for jamming, dance and interaction...

This mix of genres and close contact with the artists is what makes the festival such a magical event: a memorable experience with a quality programme and a real journey for the senses.