Table of contents - Balkan Trafik Festival

Table of contents
Press release .............................................................................................................. 2
Festival concept .......................................................................................................... 4
Programme ................................................................................................................. 5
Programme overview ................................................................................................ 16
Complementary activities.......................................................................................... 17
Practical information ................................................................................................. 19
1

Press release
Balkan Trafik, a four-day exploration of the Balkans
For the sixth edition of Balkan Trafik, authenticity is the watchword. No fewer than 200 artists
present a mix of music, cinema, dance, and workshops in a unique atmosphere. Celebration
and emotion, from 12 until 15 April at the Centre for Fine Arts.
Balkan Trafik is a meeting place for the finest artists from the region and the diaspora, performing
in their distinctive genres and disciplines. The festival offers a sample of the different cultures and
communities of south-eastern Europe. Last year, this enticing mix attracted no fewer than 7,500
visitors to the Centre for Fine Arts.
Music
Top of the musical bill is Band of Gypsies, a collaboration between Taraf de Haïdouks (Romania)
and the Kočani Orkestar (Macedonia), two of the Balkans' most important gypsy ensembles. The
rockers of Jericho, who have become popular throughout the former Yugoslavia, combine rock and
electronics with elements of traditional Albanian folk music. The Amsterdam Klezmer Band has been
playing klezmorim for more than 15 years; its powerful reputation for live performance has taken it to
28 different countries. And there is plenty more to discover: from the brass band duel with the winner
of the annual Guca festival and the Orchestre International du Vetex, to Albanian iso-polyphony, folk
dancing, and musical entertainment both inside and outside the Centre for Fine Arts.
This year, Balkan Trafik presents two festival creations under the name 100% Balkan Trafik. Last
year both groups set Couleur Cafe alight. Bulgarian clarinettist Ivo Papasov, who has been called the
Miles Davis of the Balkans, celebrates his 60 th birthday by assembling an array of guests for the Ivo
Papasov Balkan Project. The group, put together specially for the festival, includes, among others,
the jazz percussionist Okay Temiz (TR), saxophone wonder "King" Ferus Mustafov (MK), master of
the plaintive Albanian clarinet Josif Shukallari (AL), cimbalom virtuoso Kalman Balogh (HU) and
accordionist Roberto de Brasov (RO) – the King of Carpathian swing. The second project, Brussels
Underground, under the leadership of Nicolas Hauzeur of the Brussels Balkan group Zongora (who is
also appearing at the festival with his own band), brings together an array of street and wedding
musicians. Without any management, and sometimes without a clear status, they play on the streets,
in the metro, at weddings and for associations they are members of. The names include Marian
Raducan, Costel Ursulets, Pecho Elmazov, Aurel Budisteanu, Nikolai Alexandrov, Fericel Stan,…
Authentic cafes
This year, three authentically decorated music cafes – with accompanying food stalls presenting
specialities from the region – will have a central place at Balkan Trafik. In the Greek Rembetiko Kafe,
Michel Hatzi (of Aka Moon) will lead a project featuring the bouzouki virtuoso Manolis Pappos. In the
Kabaret Manouche gypsy cafe regular festival guest Tcha Limberger will host musical friends,
including the guitarist and Django specialist Fapy Lafertin, to showcase Roma-music from the
diaspora. New this year is the Sevdah Kafana, with its melancholic folk music from Bosnia. The Old
Bridge, a project that builds bridges between traditional Balkan music and other genres, plays sevdah
music, sometimes called the fado of the Balkans.
Cinema
As usual, Balkan Trafik starts and ends with cinema. The festival opens on Thursday with the
premiere of a Greek film, Alps, in the presence of the director, Yorgos Lanthimos. Following his
outstanding Dogtooth, this preview of his new film promises to be another extraordinary experience.
Sunday's Balkan Trafik Film Day – On the Road to the Balkans presents two feature films and a
documentary. Dina Iordanova, specialist in world cinema, will also give two masterclasses on the
2

cinema of the Balkans. The Romanian film Loverboy, a moving account of human trafficking directed
by Cătălin Mitulescu, was selected for Cannes. The Serbian documentary Cinema Komunisto, by
Mila Turajic, traces the history of the legendary Avala Studio, founded by Tito in order to make
propaganda films. The cherry on the cake will be the screening of Do You Remember Dolly-Bell?,
Emir Kusturica's first film, which has never been screened in Belgium before!
3

Festival concept
Balkan Trafik stands for an exchange of culture and experience, where the doors are opened to
integration, communication, sharing experiences, and opening up to others. The festival wants to
dispel prejudice against the Balkan countries by showing the cultural richness and diversity of the
region. In an atmosphere of unity and companionship the real Balkans are truthfully presented to the
audience.
The Turkish word balkan means 'wooded mountain'. Although all wooded mountains could therefore
be called balkan, 'the Balkans' refers to the impressive mountain range that extends east-west across
Bulgaria, joining the Carpathian Mountains to the North of the Danube. It is also the name given to the
region made up of the various European states that emerged out of the disintegration of the Ottoman
Empire.
The Balkan region became characterised by a huge diversity of expression linked to its very
diverse ethnic backgrounds. This also created music that was a mixture of local sounds: Turkish
rhythms, brass sounds, traditional Albanian dances, rebetiko, Bosnian sevdah, Roma gypsy songs,
and fast accordion melodies. The Eastern inspiration in Balkan music is easily recognised and
explained when you know that many Roma gypsies scattered themselves throughout the whole
of the Balkans. And wherever they go, they adopt words and other cultural characteristics from the
local inhabitants, adding them to their own language and their own culture. Hence the influence of
each country they visited can be heard in the rhythms and tones of their music. At the heart of
everything, however, in the centre of this complex mosaic, it is the Ottoman tradition that shines
through.
In order to succeed with an artistic programme such as that of Balkan Trafik, BOZAR and 1001
Valises are developing a growing network in the Balkan countries and the Diaspora in this country. A
close link between the history and the current artistic reality of the region is thus guaranteed. In the
Centre for Fine Arts all art forms are given a place: music, film, theatre, dance, workshops,
exhibitions, and animation.
4

Programme
THURSDAY 12 APRIL – Opening night
MUSIC
19:00 & 22:15 Folkdance Xheladin Zeqiri from Tetovo (MK – Horta Hall)
CINEMA
20:00 Première Alps – Yorgos Lanthimos (Hall M)
In the presence of the director
A nurse, a paramedic, a gymnast and her coach have formed a
service for hire. They stand in for dead people by appointment, hired
by the relatives, friends or colleagues of the deceased. The
company is called Alps. Their leader, the paramedic, calls himself
Mont Blanc. Although Alps members operate under a disciplined
regime demanded by their leader, the nurse does not.
With Aggeliki Papoulia, Aris Servetalis, Johnny Vekris, Ariane Labed
Greece, 2011, 93’, Greek – Subtitles: English
Venice International Film Festival 2011, Competition
Yorgos Lanthimos was born in Athens, where he studied directing for film and television. Since 1995,
he has directed a series of videos for dance-theatre companies, television commercials, music videos,
short films and theatre plays. In 2011, he staged Chekhov's Platonov at the Greek National Theatre.
His first film Kinetta (2005) screened at the Toronto and Berlin Film Festivals to critical acclaim. His
sophomore feature Kynïdontas (Dogtooth) won the Un Certain Regard prize at the 2009 Cannes Film
Festival, followed by numerous awards at festivals worldwide. It was also nominated for the Best
Foreign Language Film Oscar at the 2011 Academy Awards.
FRIDAY 13 APRIL
MUSIC
18:45 Ensemble Dropulli of Gjirokaster & special guest Josif Shukallari (AL – Hall M)
© 2012 Strange Milena - SOFAM Belgium
Video: http://youtu.be/CXJMOhjQ2nU
The folk arts group Dropulli comes from the southern city of
Gjirokastër, the centre of Albanian iso-polyphony, a strange
form of part-singing that is closely related to the polyphony
found over the border in Greece. It is no coincidence that the
members of Dropulli all belong to the Greek minority in Albania.
They are joined for the occasion by Josif Shukallari, the
Albanian master of the plaintive clarinet, who comes from the
Permet district, where he livens up weddings and all sorts of
festivities.
5

19:30 Zongora (BE – Horta Hall)
Video: http://youtu.be/KvExSIxaCcI
20:30 Roberto de Brasov Quintet (RO – Hall M)
Web: http://www.robertodebrasov.com
Video: http://youtu.be/y3dK9AbfiCs
21:30 Kirika (TR – Horta Hall)
Web: http://www.myspace.com/kirikasmyrna
Video: http://youtu.be/sb0eomNxJpM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYcnMPqZYlw
The members of this Brussels-based Belgian-Romanian-
Bulgarian outfit have one thing in common: a passion for the
music of the Balkans. Orthodoxy is not really their thing, so
they blend a variety of styles and influences. They serve up
infectious melodies and lively dance music from different
regions in a way that sometimes comes close to jazz. Last
year, Zongora released the album Doverie, but is known,
above all, for its superb live performances. Brace yourself for a
concert that is sure to bowl you over!
Ion Faur was born in Brasov in Romania, where he learned all there was
to know about the accordion at an early age. His wanderings eventually
took him to France, where he settled down as Roberto de Brasov – and
the rest is history. The king of Carpathian swing mixes ballads, Turkish
dance tunes, gypsy capers, and asymmetric aksak rhythms in an
infectious, highly individual blend of Balkan music, jazz and blues.
Kirika raises the banner of the culture of the Aegean Sea, in and
around the cities of Istanbul, Smyrna/Izmir, and Thessaloniki. Eating,
drinking, zinging, dancing, the raptures of Dionysus… The music in
question emerged in the late 19 th century in the cosmopolitan centres
of the Ottoman empire and flourished in cafes and cabarets until the
1960s. Without nostalgia, but inspired by the tradition, the musicians
of Kirika translate the pleasures of the beach and of wine into
contemporary urban folk.
6

22:30 Band of Gypsies ft. Taraf de Haïdouks & Koçani Orkestar (RO/MK – Henry Le Bœuf Hall)
This all-star band is a collaboration between two of the most popular
gypsy groups around, who previously set Couleur Café and Ancienne
Belgique on fire. It is 20 years now since Taraf de Haïdouks from
Romania first conquered the world with their atmospheric ballads and
dance numbers. The Koçani Orkestar from Macedonia is one of the
funkiest brass bands on the planet right now. The two bands recently
recorded a full studio album together, on which the violins and
accordions of Taraf make a splendid contrast with the brass and percussion of Koçani.
Belgium's Stéphane Karo put both bands on the map: he met Taraf de Haïdouks back in the late
1980s in the "music village" of Clejani in Ceausescu's Romania. After the fall of the Iron Curtain he
brought them to Western Europe, where they toured successfully and recorded a number of albums
for Crammed Discs. In 2001 he brought out the successful live album Band of Gypsies, which included
three tracks featuring the Koçani Orkestar. Both bands have been drastically rejuvenated over the last
few years, following the deaths of a number of their older musicians.
Web: http://www.divanoprod.com
Video (live @AB, december 2010): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvOdjAL3Ffk
00:30 Amsterdam Klezmer Band (NL – Horta Hall)
its inspiration and positive energy.
Mix a generous serving of klezmer with a pinch of ska, a dash of
Balkan music, and a sprinkling of gypsy music. Season with jazz
and punk and put the mix through the blender. The result is the
festive dance music of which the Amsterdam Klezmer Band has
the secret recipe. Their new live CD, Mokum, is the crowning
glory of a 15-year career that began as a way of passing the time
for a bunch of friends. On Mokum – the Yiddish word for "‘city"
and slang for "Amsterdam" – the band shows it has lost none of
The story of the Amsterdam Klezmer Band goes back to 1996, when a few Amsterdam lads with
Jewish backgrounds started playing on the streets, inspired by the infectious sounds of klezmer and
Balkan music. Since then the band has grown into a seven-strong combo that has already performed
in 28 different countries. They have played at the Sziget Festival in Budapest, for example, at the Cité
de la Musique in Paris, at Lowlands, and even at Hong Kong Jazz.
Web: http://www.amsterdamklezmerband.com
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JypdepVtX1s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c_EFx1W9xw
7

02:00 Dejan Lazarević Orkestar (SR – Horta Hall)
dance.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKEzcKbMbhw
THREE AUTHENTIC CAFES
The Dejan Lazarević Orkestar, winner of the 51st trumpet festival
in Guča, performs a wide variety of music: from local melodies,
via the fast-paced chain dance kolo, marches, and characteristic
South-Serbian cocek dances, all the way to tunes that have
emerged more recently, but always taking care to respect the old
harmonies. The Dejan Lazarević Orkestar has already set alight
stages in Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Russia, and Belgium.
It is almost impossible to resist their adrenalin-rush rhythms and
melodies, which simply compel you to jump to your feet and
Following the success of the festival's two music cafes – the Rembetiko Kafe and Kabaret Manouche
– last year, we have added a third, Bosnian-inspired cafe: the Sevdah Kafana. These cafes, with their
distinctive interiors and intimate stages, allow audiences to travel through the Balkans while
discovering musical gems.
REMBETIKO KAFE ft. Michel Hatzi & guests
Rembetiko is a popular Greek music genre that emerged in the 1920s; it is sometimes called "the
Greek blues". In those days it was also a way of life: in their music the musicians explored
fundamental themes such as love, suffering, and death.
Michel Hatzi (Hatzigeorgiou, to give him his full name) is well known to Brussels concertgoers. The
adventurous bassist has been with Aka Moon for nearly 20 years and has also played with the greats
of Belgian and international jazz. Less well known are his Greek roots and the fact that as a youngster
he used to play the bouzouki, an instrument that he took up again a while back. For this project
focusing on rembetiko (the Greek blues) he works with the bouzouki virtuoso Manolis Pappos, the
singer Anatoli Mariola, and the guitarist Nikos Giras.
Programme
21:00 & 23:45 Michel Hatzi & Rembetiko Project
01:15 Kirika
KABARET MANOUCHE ft. Fapy Lafertin, Tcha Limberger & Les Violons de Bruxelles
Violons de Bruxelles © Bernard Rosenberg
In the Kabaret Manouche Tcha Limberger brings together the
best Belgian Roma musicians. The spotlight this year is on Fapy
Lafertin, a master guitarist in the tradition of Django Reinhardt,
who favours heartfelt musicality over virtuoso dexterity. He has
played with musicians such as Koen De Cauter, Stéphane
Grapelli, and Charlie Byrd. Limberger, Lafertin, and Co. transform
the Kabaret into an intimate concert venue where you can seek
some respite from the decibels outside while enjoying first-class
musicians.
Programme
18:15 Trotsky Tulsky
20:15 & 00:30 Violons de Bruxelles ft Tcha Limberger & Fapy Lafertin
8

Video (Tcha Limberger): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN7VRa0KX_s
Video (Fapy Lafertin): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF9HC69wgx4
Video (Les Violons de Bruxelles): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDzxVcRd3Mw
NIEUW: SEVDAH KAFANA ft. The Old Bridge (BIH)
The Old Bridge
Programme
21:45 & 02:00 The Old Bridge
Sevdah or sevdalinka has been likened to Portuguese fado. In
Bosnian, sevdah means "love" or "caress". In this pre-eminently
female genre the songs are full of the pains of love and lovelorn
yearning. In the Sevdah Kafana, however, the musical tone will
be set by The Old Bridge, a duo of (male) guitarists, and a singer,
Cerkez. The duo's name is a reference to the bridge in Mostar
that connects the Muslim and Christian parts of the town. Their
music – at once virtuoso and emotional – combines Balkan music
with blues and flamenco.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT WINE BAR VINO ZIRKUS (more info on p17)
Zmei Trei (RO)
Liquidation Band (BE)
The harmonica virtuosos of Zmei Trei add a new dimension to Romanian
music. This unique-sounding trio, whose founder members have been
together for the last 30 years, is a perfect combination of Romanian roots,
groovy Balkan-style sounds, and traditional sounds. The band combines
beautiful old traditional Romanian songs with suburban Romanian music
and old gypsy songs.
This Balkan jazz ensemble is made up of musicians from very diverse backgrounds, united by a
shared passion for the Balkans. Since its launch in 2008, the band’s repertoire has evolved quite
significantly: it includes some traditional pieces, but is mostly made up of original compositions, on the
frontiers of traditional Balkan music and jazz, played with great energy.
9

SATURDAY 14 APRIL
MUSIC - DANCE
14:30 & 16:15 Workshops
A number of workshops will be held during the festival. This year the spotlight is on dance, with Roma
of Brussels and Folkdance Xheladin from Tetovo (from Macedonia). The workshops are an ideal
opportunity for members of the public to take their first dance steps!
14:30 Dance with Roma of Brussels
16:15 Dance with Folkdance Xheladin Zeqiri from Tetovo
15:00 Folkdance Xheladin Zeqiri from Tetovo (MK – Henry Le Bœuf Hall)
Xheladin Zeqiri is known in Macedonia and neighbouring countries as one of the finest music and
dance companies around. Since its foundation in 1949 in the town of Tetovo, it has developed into a
multidisciplinary company involved in music, theatre, visual art, and literature, but still specialises in
traditional Slav dance. Though almost unknown in Western Europe, the company has already
performed 5,000 times in the Balkans and Turkey and has won numerous prizes.
17:15 Brussels Underground (BE – Henry Le Bœuf Hall)
FESTIVAL CREATION 100% BALKAN TRAFIK
Brussels Underground, specially put together for the festival
under the leadership of Nicolas Hauzeur of the Brussels Balkan
group Zongora (who is also appearing at the festival with his own
band), brings together an array of street and wedding musicians.
Hauzeur (Kopanica asbl) was involved in previous editions of
Balkan Trafik as artistic leader of RomAroma (2009), Nadejda
(2010), and the Balkan Accordion Project (2011). For Brussels
© 2012 Strange Milena - SOFAM Belgium
Underground he has worked with socio-cultural organisations that
have close links with the Roma community: the Belgian-Romanian centre, the borough of Sint-
Joost/Saint-Josse-ten Noode, La Maison des Cultures et de la Cohésion Sociale de Molenbeek and
De Centrale in Ghent.
For this project Nicolas Hauzeur has brought together Roma musicians who work outside the
traditional music circuit, on the streets or at wedding festivities. The difficult economic circumstances in
their own countries led many street musicians to emigrate. Some were well-known soloists in their own
countries, with extensive careers behind them. Without any management, and sometimes without a
clear status, they play on the streets, in the metro, and for associations they are members of. The
‘wedding musicians’ confirm Europe’s current migration movements: they are new nomads who move
around at the demand of emigrated communities.
Without being able to represent all cultures, the music of this project encompasses a vast region, from
Moldavia to Timisoara, from Istanbul to Skopje via Sofia. The Bulgarian dancers of the Antwerp-based
group Svetulka, Romanian singer Sanda de la Curcan, and Greek dancer Areti Prosilia assure a touch
of femininity and grace. The other names include Marian Raducan, Costel Ursulets, Pecho Elmazov,
Valeri Velikov, Martin and Borko Assenov, Zdravko Zdravkov, Aurel Budisteanu, Nikolai Alexandrov,
Fericel Stan, Stefan Marian,…
10

18:45 Choir Hazreti Hamza (BiH – Hall M)
Video: http://youtu.be/nuCE64lhAu4
http://youtu.be/XAwofS5naL4
19:45 Orchestre International du Vetex (OIV) (BE – Horta Hall)
Web: http://www.vetex.org
Video: http://youtu.be/z0rKKYdrOYo
20:30 Koprulu of Berat (AL – Hall M)
The choir, named after the mosque in Sarajevo where its
members used to meet, was established during the war in the
former Yugoslavia. It specialises in the Ilahije i Kaside, religious
songs of the Bosnian Sufi Muslims, but its repertoire also includes
sevdah and pop music. It is known as one of the pioneers of
Muslim New Age (a mix of religious music and new-age elements)
and performs all over the world. The 15-strong choir will perform a
programme of "heavenly" Sufi songs.
What started as a local brass band now travels the world and has
even played in Sarajevo and Belgrade. The Orchestre
International du Vetex brings together musicians from Flanders,
Wallonia, and northern France, as well as a few unguided missiles
from elsewhere. On their recent double album, Total Tajine, they
draw once again on the same sources: red-hot party music from
the Balkans mixed with tarantella, reggae, Afro-beat, and cumbia.
Tajine to get your teeth into!
The singers, musicians, and dancers of Koprulu of Berat carry on
the traditions of the Berat region in southern Albania, an important
centre for Albanian folklore. Koprulu will treat Balkan Trafik to the
traditional party music of this region's Roma community.
© 2012 Strange Milena - SOFAM Belgium
21:30 Ivo Papasov "Balkan Trafik Klarinet Project" (TR/MK/GR/AL/RO/HU – Henry Le Bœuf Hall)
FESTIVAL CREATION 100% BALKAN TRAFIK
The Bulgarian clarinet virtuoso Ivo Papasov is the uncrowned king
of "wedding band music", an exuberant mix of Balkan folk and
contemporary elements. Specially for his 60 th birthday, the Miles
Davis of the Balkans has put together a group of musicians, fans
one and all: the percussionist Okay Temiz, the saxophone marvel
"King" Ferus Mustafov, the accordionist Roberto de Brasov, the
Hungarian cimbalom virtuoso Kálmán Balogh, and Josif Shukallari
(the master of the plaintive Albanian clarinet). The complex
rhythms of Bulgarian folk music fuse with jazzy improvisation
thanks to Papasov's lyrical timbre, which leaves nobody unmoved.
11

It was back in 1974 that Papasov and his Trakija Band began playing what would later become known
as "wedding band music". His work and his worldwide tours won international recognition for Bulgarian
wedding music. He has worked with many famous musicians and with the producer Joe Boyd (Pink
Floyd, REM, etc). Frank Zappa was a fan.
Web: http://www.myspace.com/ivopapasov
http://www.elen-music.com/art014en.php
Video: http://youtu.be/WbJAklOdx58
22:45 Ovidiu Lipan & Fanfare Zece Prajini (RO – Horta Hall)
00:15 Jericho (KS – Horta Hall)
Web: https://www.facebook.com/JerichoKS
Video: http://www.youtube.com/GrupiJERICHO
Ovidiu Lipan is what you would call a musical all-rounder. He first made a
name for himself as a drummer and percussionist in a series of Romanian
rock and jazz-rock groups (amongst which Phoenix), before moving to
Germany, where he leads his own big band and collaborates with just
about everyone – even the Scorpions. After the fall of Ceauşescu he
returned to his homeland and explored his own musical roots. His new
project with the Fanfare Zece Prajini is a development of the music of the
festive local brass bands of eastern Romania.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJv03jZ_JJQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNhS7Y41zAI
With their classic line-up of singer, rhythm and solo guitar,
bass, and drums, they look like your standard rock group, but
there is more to these Kosovan rockers than that. They are
not afraid to use traditional instruments too – or to sing in
their local Gheg dialect, not exactly a major international
language. But their powerful cocktail of rock, grunge,
electronica, and folk has won them a growing army of fans in
the former Yugoslavia and further afield.
01:30 Brass Band Duel: Dejan Lazarevic vs OIV (SR/BE – Horta Hall)
True to tradition, once again two brass bands take each other on; the winner is decided by the
audience's applause. The Dejan Lazarević Orkestar from Serbia, winner of the latest Guča festival,
faces the challenge of the Belgian-based Orchestre International du Vetex.
12

THREE AUTHENTIC CAFES – see FRIDAY (p8-9)
Rembetiko Kafe
Programme
20:00 & 23:45 & 01:30 Michel Hatzi & Rembetiko Project
Kabaret Manouche
Programme
18:00 & 00:30 Violons de Bruxelles ft. Tcha Limberger & Fapy Lafertin
Sevdah Kafana
Programme
20:45 & 22:45 & 02:30 The Old Bridge
13

SUNDAY 15 APRIL
Balkan Trafik Film Day - On the Road to the Balkans (Studio)
Sunday's Balkan Trafik Film Day – On the Road to the Balkans presents two feature films and a
documentary. Dina Iordanova, specialist in world cinema, will also give two masterclasses on the
cinema of the Balkans.
14:30 Loverboy by Cătălin Mitulescu
Romania, 2011, 93’, Romanian spoken, French subtitles
Cannes 2011 Official Selection, Un Certain Regard
Sarajevo Film Festival 2011, Best actress (Ada Condeescu)
Luca is 20 years old and lives in a small town by the Danube. He
seduces girls and sends them to a human trafficking network in
the Black Sea port Constanta. His life seems to change when he
meets Veli. The sudden death of an ex-girlfriend and his new love
for Veli make him wonder whether he should continue or not to
be a loverboy.
16:30 Cinema Komunisto by Mila Turajlic
Followed by a masterclass on Cinema Komunisto by Dina Iordanova (18:15-18:45)
For 32 years, Leka Konstantinovic was the personal film projectionist
for Yugoslavian president and noted film enthusiast Josip Broz Tito.
Comprised of interviews with Konstantinovic and other important
figures in the brief but glowing history of Yugoslavian cinema, as well
as archival clips from more than 60 films, this award-winning
documentary chronicles the 40-year history of Avala Studio. The
studio was built by Tito to crank out well-made propaganda films in
order to shape and control his country’s image in a post-war world. A
vibrant, fascinating celebration of a film industry-and a nation-that no
longer exists.
Serbia, 2010, 101 min, Serbian, French subtitles
Chicago International Film Festival 2011, Gold Hugo for Best Documentary
http://www.cinemakomunisto.com/
14

19:30 Do You Remember Dolly-Bell? by Emir Kusturica
Introductory masterclass on Kusturica by Dina Iordanova at 19:00
Set over a single early-1960s summer in one of
Sarajevo's neighbourhoods, the plot follows the
fortunes of a school boy nicknamed Dino. The lad is
enthralled with a life that flashes before his eyes and
ears in the local cinema and youth centre (where,
among other things, he watches Alessandro Blasetti's
Europa di notte and listens to Adriano Celentano's 24
mila baci), while at the same time getting a taste of the
world inhabited by local thugs and petty criminals.
However, when he is rewarded via a liaison for
providing a hiding place for prostitute Dolly-Bell, his world is turned upside down as he falls in love with
her.
First feature film by Emir Kusturica!
Bosnia, 1981, 105, Bosnian spoken with English subtitles
Venice International Film Festival 1981, Golden Lion first feature film, FIPRESCI Award
Pula Film Festival 1981, Best scenario
São Paulo International Film Festival 1982, Critic Award
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of9XbhEu0uQ
Masterclasses with Dina Iordanova (18:15 & 19:00)
Dina Iordanova (born 1960) is a notable specialist in world cinema, with special expertise in the
cinema of the Balkans, Eastern Europe, and Europe in general. Her research approaches cinema on a
meta-national level and focuses on the dynamics of transnational film; she has special interest in
issues related to cinema at the periphery and in alternative historiography. She has published
extensively on international and transnational film art and film industry, and convenes research
networks on film festivals and on the dynamics of global cinema. Amongst her books are Cinema of
Flames: Balkan Film, Culture and the Media, The Cinema of the Balkans and Emir Kusturica.
http://www.dinaiordanova.com/
15

Programme overview
Thursday 12 april
CINEMA – Opening night
20:00 Première Alps – Yorgos Lanthimos (Hall M)
Friday 13 april
MUSIC
18:45 Ensemble Dropulli of Gjirokaster & special guest Josif Shukallari (AL – Hall M)
19:30 Zongora (BE – Horta Hall)
20:30 Roberto de Brasov Quintet (RO – Hall M)
21:30 Kirika (TR – Horta Hall)
22:30 Band of Gypsies ft. Taraf de Haïdouks & Kocani Orkestar (RO/MK – Henry Le Bœuf Hall)
00:30 Amsterdam Klezmer Band (NL – Horta Hall)
02:00 Dejan Lazarevic Orkestar (SR – Horta Hall)
Three authentic cafés:
Rembetiko Kafe
21:00 & 23:45 Michel Hatzi & Rembetiko Project
01:15 Kirika
Kabaret Manouche
18:15 Trotsky Tulsky
20:15 & 00:30 Violons de Bruxelles ft Tcha Limberger & Fapy Lafertin
Sevdah Kafana
21:45 & 02:00 The Old Bridge
Saturday 14 april
MUSIC - DANCE
15:00 Folkdance Xheladin Zeqiri from Tetovo (MK – Henry Le Bœuf Hall)
17:15 Brussels Underground (BE – Henry Le Bœuf Hall)
18:45 Choir Hazreti Hamza (BiH – Hall M)
19:45 Orchestre International du Vetex (OIV) (BE – Horta Hall)
20:30 Koprulu of Berat (AL – Hall M)
21:30 Ivo Papasov "Balkan Trafik Klarinet Project" (TR/MK/GR/AL/RO/HU – Henry Le Bœuf Hall)
22:45 Ovidiu Lipan & Fanfare Zece Prajini (RO – Horta Hall)
00:15 Jericho (KS – Horta Hall)
01:30 Brass Band Duel: Dejan Lazarevic vs OIV (SR/BE – Horta Hall)
Three authentic cafés:
Rembetiko Kafe
20:00 & 23:45 & 01:30 Michel Hatzi & Rembetiko Project
Kabaret Manouche
18:00 & 00:30 Violons de Bruxelles ft. Tcha Limberger & Fapy Lafertin
Sevdah Kafana
20:45 & 22:45 & 02:30 The Old Bridge
WORKSHOPS
14:30 Dance with Roma of Brussels
16:15 Dance with Folkdance Xheladin Zeqiri from Tetovo
Sunday 15 april
CINEMA: Balkan Trafik Film Day – On the Road to the Balkans (Studio)
14:30 Loverboy by Cătălin Mitulescu
16:30 Cinema Komunisto by Mila Turajlic
19:00 Do You Remember Dolly-Bell? by Emir Kusturica
16

Complementary activities
INSIDE
Vino Zirkus
At the Vino Zirkus wine bar you can enjoy a selection of the best wines from south-eastern Europe as
well as performances by a whole range of bands and dance groups.
Friday 13.04
20:00 Koprulu of Berat (AL)
19:30 & 21:15 Zmei Trei (RO)
20:00 & 00:00 Folkdance Xheladin Zeqiri from Tetovo (MK)
22:00 Liquidation Band (BE)
00:40 Ensemble Dropulli of Gjirokaster & Josif Shukallari (AL)
01:15 Zongora (BE)
02:45 Taraf de Haïdouks (RO)
Saturday 14.04
16:30 & 21:15 & 23:15 Zmei Trei (RO)
18:00 & 22:30 Ensemble Dropulli of Gjirokaster & Josif Shukallari (AL)
19:30 & 00:00 Brussels Underground (BE)
00:45 Folkdance Xheladin Zeqiri from Tetovo (MK)
01:30 Koprulu of Berat (AL)
02:15 Kosovo Traditional (KS)
Photographic exhibition Milena Strange
Relive the first five years of Balkan Trafik at Milena Strange's photographic exhibition! Strange
portrayed artists in action, onstage under the spotlights, immortalising unique performances and
conveying the audience's experience: the atmosphere, the relationship that developed with the
musicians, and the emotion of the moment.
Gastronomy
Balkan cuisine is extremely attractive, with authentic local products and culinary traditions that are an
important element of the region's culture and have been influential far beyond its frontiers. The Trilogia
restaurant will present Greek specialities (such as traditional pita and patisserie) in the Rembetiko
Kafe. Traditional Bosnian cuisine will be represented too – there will even be a barbecue! The
Gratiartis non-profit association will sell specialities such as burek and mezze, while the Hungarian
Dreams and Plitvice restaurants will serve Hungarian and Croatian specialities.
Organisations present at Balkan Trafik
Le Courrier des Balkans publishes articles and analyses from the Balkan press and makes them
available on the Internet. Via Le Courrier there are a number of books to be won and the public can
discover these specialists' numerous publications.
The National Tourism Organisation of Serbia and Time To Travel promote Serbia as a tourist
destination. At their stand you can win sports holidays and city trips that offer opportunities to discover
the region's cultural heritage.
17

JUST OUTSIDE THE CENTRE FOR FINE ARTS
Balkan Bazaar
This year's Balkan Bazaar will be just outside the Centre for Fine Arts, not inside. It will feature music
and dance groups, as well as Tania Magy's Roma caravan, the Banc à palabres, a bar, and a
barbecue. The Bazaar, with its characteristic decoration, brings to life the atmosphere and aromas of
the old districts of Balkan towns. A place for partying, meeting, and discovering.
Concerts & performances
Friday 13.04
18:00 Koprulu of Berat (AL)
19:30 & 00:00 Folkdance Xheladin Zeqiri from Tetovo (MK)
20:00 & 22:00 Zmei Trei (RO)
21:15 Liquidation Band (BE)
00:40 Ensemble Dropulli of Gjirokaster & Josif Shukallari (AL)
01:15 Zongora (BE)
02:45 Taraf de Haïdouks (RO)
Saturday 14.04
16:30 & 21:15 Zmei Trei (RO)
19:30 & 00:00 Brussels Underground (BE)
22:30 Ensemble Dropulli of Gjirokaster & Josif Shukallari (AL)
23:15 Kosovo Traditional (KS)
00:45 Folkdance Xheladin Zeqiri from Tetovo (MK)
01:30 Koprulu of Berat (AL)
Art Rom Caravane
Banc à palabres
The Caravan museum was founded in 2004 by the visual artist Tania
Magy (of the Art'Rom de Voyage non-profit association), in order to
introduce the general public to contemporary art by Roma and
gypsies. The caravan also encourages a dialogue about the concept
of the "minority" and shows the way of life of gypsies, Roma, and
other "travellers", now and in the past.
During this sixth edition Balkan Trafik plays host to a citizens' initiative that works to break down the
isolation of older people. Banc à palabres invites the public to make or adapt a public bench. The real
aim is to encourage the presence of our older people in public life. The idea was launched in the
context of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations and of the
Alternative Culture non-profit association's campaign "Ik heb wat voorsprong – De schreeuw van de
senioren/J'ai un peu d'avance, le grand batelage des seniors".
18

Practical information
Balkan Trafik
www.balkantrafik.com – www.bozar.be/balkantrafik
Dates
Thursday 12 > Sunday 15.04.2012
Address
Centre for Fine Arts
Rue Ravensteinstraat 23, 1000 Brussels
Tickets
Thursday 12.04.2012: €10 (première Alps)
Friday 13.04.2012: €20
Reductions: €17 (+ 65) – €15 (-26) – €5 (-12y/ purchase only by phone)
Saturday 14.04.2012: €20
Reductions: €17 (+ 65) – €15 (-26) – €5 (-12y/ purchase only by)
Sunday 15.04.2012: €5/film
€3 with reductions; free admission upon presentation of a day pass for 13.04 or 14.04 if you
book in advance by e-mail to: bozar.cinema01@bozar.be – tickets subject to availability
BOZAR info & tickets
+32 (0)2 507 82 00- info@bozar.be - www.bozar.be
More information and interview requests
Press service Centre for Fine Arts (national press):
Annelien Mallems – annelien.mallems@bozar.be – +32 (0)2 507 84 48 / (0)479 98 66 04
Press service 1001 Valises (communities and international press):
Iris Maas – iris.maas@gmail.com – +32 (0)476 349 314
Press images can be downloaded via www.bozar.be/activity.php?id=10808&pressguest=1
Coproduction: BOZAR, 1001 Valises
Support: Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles • COCOF - Commission Communautaire Française • Région
de Bruxelles Capitale | Brussels Hoofstedelijk Gewest • Vlaamse Overheid • VGC - Vlaamse
Gemeenschapscommissie • BIJ, Bureau International Jeunesse • WBI, Wallonie - Bruxelles
International • Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie • Adria Airways • Wizz Air • Serbia Travel • Institut
Culturel Roumain Bruxelles | Romanian Cultural Institute Brussels • Ambassade de la République de
Macédoine | Ambassade van de Republiek van Macedonië | Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia •
Ambassade de la République de Serbie | Ambassade van de Republiek Servië • Embassy of the
Republic of Serbia • Hungarian Culture Brussels • La Médiathèque • La Maison des Cultures et de la
Cohésion Sociale de Molenbeek | Huis van Culturen en Sociale Samenhang van Molenbeek • BeTv •
Klara • Cobra.be • Knack • Le Vif / L’Express • Arte Belgique • Le Soir • RTBF La Première • BMW
19