Ukraine at Budapest Ritmo

Budapest Ritmo 2023 has become one of the key events for Central European countries. This year, one of the topics chosen for discussion during the conference was Music and Solidarity.

About the project

The Ukrainian Institute joined this event for the first time and presented the exhibition Ukrainian jazzmen at war as well as took part in panel discussion Music Through Conflicts and Social Changes.

About Budapest Ritmo

Budapest Ritmo has been a gem of city festivals ever since 2016. One of Europe’s most prestigious world music showcase festivals, Budapest Ritmo presents a carefully selected lineup, showcase concerts, and more. Budapest Ritmo welcomes the biggest names in world music in three atmospheric inner-city locations. This year, the festival expands with a film section with original music film premieres and documentary screenings.

Panel discussion

Panel discussion Music Through Conflicts and Social Changes.

How can music help overcome displacement for individuals and communities? What is the power of music in enhancing individual inclusion, group cohesion, and cross-community work in post-conflict environments? How can sharing our personal story make our communities stronger?

Golnar Shahyar, Yalda Yazdani and Mariana Bondarenko, musicians, ethnomusicologists, program managers and curators shared how music becomes a driving force in creating small scale projects while forming networks and crossing cultural borders.

Photos: © Pesthy Márton

DAGADANA concert

About DAGADANA

Polish-Ukrainian bonding set to a catchy ethnobeat, adorned with the coolest traditional headdresses. Daga from Poland and Dana of Ukraine transform folk heritage with style and rapport; add jazz and electronica to the mix; and make the case for cultural kinship evident. Their busy tour calendar (featuring Paris, Lisbon, Glastonbury) is proof of their proposition on the current sound and connecting power of folk tradition. Mikołaj Pospieszalski (double bass, bass, violin) and Bartosz Mikołaj Nazaruk (drums, percussion) append the female duo to create a jazz and funk infused whole. Since the war in Ukraine broke out, Dagadana turned up the volume on their message of hope and unity.