In spite of this, we still come across people who, against the inevitability of these transformations and overwhelming degradation of nature, indefatigably try to rescue and protect the roots of their culture. We come across people who made the cultivation of tradition their motto. It is in their honor we dedicate our festival. With great pleasure, we dedicate our festival to those who perceive art and artistic expression not as the mere means of success and a career, but as a way to protect one’s own humanity, identity, and sensitivity.

This year, we are proud to present songs, theater plays, and films, as well as their origins and contexts. The art we have in mind is a gate and an invitation to a different world. Berberian trans songs from Morocco; the ‘Marsh’ songs from Ukraine; sublime polyphonies from Caucasus; polyphonic dialogues from Beograd; mystical songs from Sardinia; and ‘shoulder dances’ of dark skinned Jews from Ethiopia are only a few examples of what you will be able to hear and see during the festival. Once again, we will have a unique opportunity to touch a marginalized world, a world in danger of being forgotten. This year marks our decision to abandon giving awards. Instead, we have decided to use the funds collected from ticket sales to support different projects, which we believe, seek to preserve the endangered cultures in various parts of the world. The effects of these projects, we hope, will be presented during succeeding editions of the festival. Finally, as in previous years, part of the proceeds from the festival will be donated to a non-profit organization, which focuses on rescuing the people and cultures in third world countries.

Come and Enjoy!