BALKAN:MOST

BALKAN:MOST Festival and Conference in cooperation with WOMEX went down a blast, befitting the project’s success. The grand finale of MOST, our four-year intensive involvement with the Balkan music scene, the festival convened industry changemakers, 300 international delegates, MOST alumni and offered 24 showcase gigs and 6 headliners to a very appreciative public, filling the streets of Veszprém.

Part of Hangvető’s partnership with Veszprém, Balkan:MOST was organized as the main world music event of Veszprém-Balaton 2023, European Capital of Culture. Famed for its street music festivals, and proud bearer of UNESCO’s City of Music title, Veszprém welcomed 32 artists arriving from 9 Balkan countries and BALKAN:MOST’s 3-day professional event with picturesque venues, great spirit and audiences ready for fun.

BALKAN:MOST Conference gathered 300 music professionals from all corners of Europe, raising the region’s profile and facilitating further discovery of the region’s musical riches. As the pinnacle of the four-year project led by Hangvető, the conference aimed to share experiences and ideas, connect and continue the project’s legacy.

A comprehensive development project, MOST was designed to draw the Balkans closer to the rest of Europe, relying on its untapped artistic potential. MOST, meaning bridge in several Slavic languages, supported 32 bands, 100 managers and 60 festivals through mentoring, training, traineeships, stage time and financial assistance. BALKAN:MOST celebrated their journeys, gained more visibility for the region and paved the way for future collaborations between the peninsula and Europe.

“This is the most important event to show almost everything this project has achieved in these years, like a final exam. Except it already includes the celebration afterwards.”as Balázs Weyer, MOST mentor and programming director at Hangvető put it.

A 3-day street fiesta celebrating the living heritage, fermenting talent and future potential of Balkan music, BALKAN:MOST strengthened the sense of community MOST meticulously laid down.

As artists, music professionals and stakeholders confirmed:

With MOST, I was brought to this big family of Balkan musicians which is the most precious thing I gained from the project.”
Anna Dantchev, DANTCHEV:DOMAIN