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Balkan Trafik is about the exchange between Western Europe and its Southeastern neighbours and it symbolizes European multiculturalism. For those ones who do not know Balkan Trafik, it may appear as a festival that only addresses communities of the Balkans.

However, as the Balkans are a patchwork of minorities and cultures, Balkan Trafik is a festival that is representative of our Belgian and European capital.

Among the minorities of the Balkans, there are several communities: the Jews, the Roma, the Orthodoxes, the Muslims and the Catholics. The Balkans stretch from Slovenia to Turkey an dis therefore a multi-faceted ‘oriental-occidental’ region. The concept « Balkan Trafik » is about the concrete coming together of various traditions, styles and rich cultures from here and from there in order to create an intercultural festival much more than a multicultural one.

Balkan Trafik wants to be just as cosmopolitan as Europe is. The festival aims at making people come together so that they can share emotions and learn from each other beyond borders. In order to achieve this, we work hand in hand with the local communities.

Culture is the means for this alchemy and interchange between countries. Culture with a capital ‘C’ because Balkan Trafik is once again staging musical events, that are a great way of coming together, as well as cinematic events, themed workshops, a round table with international guests and themes (see the festival’s “Romatouch”). All of the above are surrounded by the ‘festival’
atmosphere: gourmet specialities and an eastern European select wine bar, themed decoration, happenings, etc.

The different aspects of the festival meant we were able to cater for 7020 participants in 2009 (thirs edition). In 2007, the figure had already reached 3 200 and in 2008 it reached 5000. This unique festival, which has a special place in European affairs, has become an anticipated cultural event by ex-patriots of south-eastern European countries, our Belgian community and the European public at large.

More info in the file below:
Balkan Trafik Festival (2886 kb)