Live recording from the concert of Ethno Croatia 2008 that took place in the medieval town of Groznjan, Croatia…

In the week when the Union for the Mediterranean has been launched by the French presidency, the national section of Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI) in Cyprus reasserts the crucial role that culture, and especially music, can play in developing positive intercultural values, attitudes and behaviours amongst young people of all Mediterranean countries.

Together with five EU and Mediterranean partners, JM Cyprus is organizing Ethno Cyprus 2008 (11-19 July 2008), funded by the “Youth Euromed” program of the European Commission and the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture. Thereby, Ethno Cyprus is contributing to better mutual understanding between musical youth in the EuroMed sub-region, bringing together about 40 musicians from five countries. Such steps are not only innovative approaches to the peace building process but also serve to improve youth and cultural policy development in the region and thereby strengthen new initiatives such as the Union for the Mediterranean.

Nenad Bogdanovic, president of JM Cyprus, argues that infrastructure for youth music projects is currently under developed in the Mediterranean region: “We hope soon to establish better equipped facilities that will enable young musicians and young audiences to communicate through music on a more permanent and stable basis. The Euromed Youth Music Centre, here in Limassol, would not be only a meeting point, but also a live platform uniting Europe and the Middle East.”

Ethno Cyprus 2008 will finish with two concerts, 17 July in Nicosia and 18 July in Limassol. The concert in Limassol will be dedicated to the launch of the Union for the Mediterranean, establishing a milestone for further co-operation between the Mediterranean countries.

After eight days filled with music, music and more music it is now time to close the Ethno Sweden 2008 camp. 96 participants from 19 countries made sure Ethno 2008 was a fantastic experience.

The camp (26 June - 2 July) ended with a great concert at Rättviksparken Tuesday night and then several performances during the sunny and prestigious Bingsjo fiddle festival Wednesday. The musical skill of the participants this year amazed even experienced leaders and the artistic level of the concerts and work shops was very high.

Next year Ethno Sweden will celebrate its 20th anniversary and hopefully make a special “Jubilee Ethno”. More information on this website will come - and if you want to be a part of Ethno 2009 you can start filling in the registration forms here in the beginning of 2009.

To download the brochure click HERE

Blagoja Petkovski, Ethno Macedonia Coordinator is pleased to announce that the Ethno Macedonia will be held this year in Ohrid, from 5-10 July, 2008.

The program will consist of various new and interesting events presented by young artists from various countries, reflecting their origin and culture through musical songs and performances, dances, particular instruments, and national costumes.

This year’s event will highlight Norwegian folklore and tradition. Norwegian musicians are especially encouraged to apply for this session!

Ethno Macedonia organizes apartment accommodation and food for participants.