- event type:WOMEX 25 Conference Session
- date:23 Oct 2025
- time:11:15 - 12:00
- city/area:Tampere
- venue:Conference Room 2
- country:Finland
- event posted by:Piranha Arts
Links
Chaired by
Anna Dantchev (Bulgaria/Finland), Dantchev:Domain;
with
Daniel Lazar (Serbia/Norway), violinist/composer;
Sabina Smailagic (Bosnia and Herzegovina/Denmark), Music culture facilitator
This session explores the intersection of Nordic and Balkan cultural identities, questioning who ‘belongs’ in these spaces. Are Balkan influences in the Nordic region viewed as exoticised elements or as authentic, evolving traditions? By examining music, musicians and their stories, we aim to uncover how cultural expressions navigate the line between romanticisation and genuine integration. Drawing from lived experiences and artistic practices, we discuss the balance between appreciation and appropriation, shedding light on how historical migration and modern globalisation shape these narratives. Attendees will gain insight into the fluidity of cultural belonging, the challenges of representation, and the power of tradition as a living, evolving force – rather than a static relic of the past.