The festival has preserved its ethnological basis during all those years. "We stem from ethnology, and at the same time create another dimension on the very branches of that tree. We add a little jazz, a little funk, but are always careful to keep in touch with the basic message of a nation," he describes in a vivid manner the basic motto of the festival which will set the tone of the summer in Bled until August 8.

This year a wide selection of performers will step onstage: from the French trio Sirventes recreating Middle Ages troubadour lyrics, Noreum Machi from South Korea with spectacular displays of virtuosic drumming complemented by costumed dancing, staging an adaptation of a rural ritual with origins in shamanism and animism, to The Khoury Project, the leading Arab ensemble which in a unique and innovative manner fuses the best the Arab classical music and western modern music have to offer. The Turkish Baba Zula is among the most impatiently expected performers, who create characteristic sounds of their own, called Istanbul psychedelia.

The Slovenian artists will be represented by Svetlana Makarovič. Why have the mentioned groups found their places on the list? Ličof replies that it is a combination of a variety of factors. "I often visit music fairs, and recruit those musicians I like, those who have enough energy, and are interesting enough. Some of those are on this list. The others are at this time on tour in Austria and Italy, and make a stop here as well." Ličof disclosed that at creating the program he has always been influenced by Druga godba.

"I believe there is not enough of this kind of music here, we have too many low rank events. Okarina is oriented towards the quality of sound, in order to encourage enlightenment of good music," he emphasized one of the crucial principles of the festival.

Ksenja Tratnik
Translated by G. K.