There will also be a breathtaking circus performance from India and spectacular giant puppets, inviting the audience to dance along with the accompaniment of a giraffe, a zebra and beautiful birds.

The Global Village stage has invited the best of world music from the Balkans to South America, Mali to Korea and India to the Middle East.

The programme features a variety of local idiosyncrasies, unique rhythms, languages and instruments, while the musical styles range from traditional soundscapes to electronic music. During the day, workshops allow you to play, make music and dance. 

This starts with a salsa lesson by the Budapest-based Stéfania Allstars, followed by Trinidadian calypso music by Kobo Town from Canada, Band Son Rompe Pera cumbia punks from Mexico and Hungary’s own Bohemian Betyars, who play folk-ska-punk favourites.

From Odessa, there’s Kommuna Lux, alongside Canadian-based Ukrainian project Balaklava Blues, while the up-and-coming progressive folk band Gangar represent Norway, and Slovakia’s Varkocs explore ethno-punk drumming.

The Parisian Gypsy singer Marcela, German multiculturalists Lakvar and French-Greek Deli Teli’s musical cocktail of ‘60s rock 'n' roll and traditional Greek tsifteteli rhythms celebrate diversity.



The Langan Band  from England have a new pan-European album inspired by Celtic and Gypsy styles. Ti’Kaniki from the island of Réunion also appear, and you can go wild at crazy Estonian duo Puuluup or pogo with Greek ethno ska-rock artist Koza Mostra.

The joyous Belgian brass band Orchestre International du Vetex will keep everyone moving. Vinicio Capossela is a long-time festival favourite in Italy. 

Artistic collaborations include France’s Alright Mela performing with Pakistani Qawwali singer Shahzad Santoo Khan, and the American-French-Lebanese-Armenian collective Al-Qasar, who return to their roots to play Arabic fusion.

From the Middle East comes the new Israeli Balkan-Klezmer band Pulkes, who grew up on the sounds of Hungar’s Besh o droM, as well as the Anna RF with their eastern electro-ethnic reggae tunes. Hungary’s reggae act Manaky and ethno-dark-rock band MORDÁI also appear.

From Africa, roots duo Madalitso Band take you to Malawi, dancers Bamba Wassoulou Groove evoke the hot nights of Bamako, and Mali diva Djely Tapa should surprise many with her charismatic performance. Senegal’s Lass, touted as the new Youssou N'Dour, and BCUC from South Africa, complete a strong African contingent.

ADG7 combines South Korean traditional music with flashy pop while Barrut comprise seven singers and a percussionist who find the source for their magnetic and wild songs in the vocal polyphonies of the French region of Occitania.

Away from music, India’s Circus Raj bring a breathtaking performance of acrobats, musicians, tightrope walkers and a fakir to wow the crowd. The Congo Massa giant puppets of French company Archibald Caramantran will be inviting everyone to dance, accompanied by a giraffe, a zebra and two beautiful birds.
 

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Sziget Festival