The 21st edition of WOMEX – the world’s largest world music festival and expo, took place from October 21-25 in the Hungarian capital of Budapest. As reported, Latvia was represented by the Latvian Music Information Centre and Latvias’ premiere world music group Iļģi who performed on the “Club Duna” showcase stage.
Ilga Reizniece share: “”Iļģi” have just returned from Budapest, where this years installment of WOMEX, the yearly leading world music business exposition, took place. This time there were over 2500 delegates from 90 countries! From that count, there were only 280 musicians. It would be more precise to say that Iļģi did not just attend WOMEX, but they were invited to participate in the regional showcases which took place in Budapests’ newest and most grandiose concert complex – Müpa Budapest (Palace of Arts). Iļģi was one of the 60 acts to be chosen from the over 1200 applications submitted from around the world. This was a great honour, considering the great number of applications received. Iļģi have been applying to WOMEX for many years, and finally got the invitation this year – the only group from the Baltic states to be invited!”
Iļģi concert was introduced by renowned world music musician and journalist, longtime WOMEX delegate, Mr. Andrew Cronshaw.
Iļģi song “Ozoliņš sadega” (The Oak Burned), was also chosen for inclusion in the WOMEX expanded music sampler and can be heard online via the WOMEX stream: www.womex.com/programme/showcase_festival/womeximizer_15
The BBC Radio 3 interviewed Iļģi member Gatis Gaujenieks which can be heard here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06j2njc
WOMEX 2015 in numbers: over 2,500 delegates representing 1,500 companies from 90 countries; 80 speakers and mentors from 40 countries in 23 Conference Sessions; 15 daytime and evening film screenings co-produced in 19 countries and curated for the first time by WOMEX; more than 60 showcase acts with over 280 artists from 50 countries on 7 stages.
Latvian participation in the WOMEX provides Latvian Music Information Centre with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and State Culture Capital Foundation financial support.
