Difficult as it may be to believe, it was 18 years ago, almost to the day, that the Ethno Port festival first came into being. Artists of international standing performed in the former Warta riverbed, presenting music that had rarely been heard in the capital of the Wielkopolska region. The venture proved undeniably successful. Year after year, the festival's devoted audience has continued to grow, and following its move to the Zamek Cultural Centre, the event firmly established itself as one of Poznań's most prominent artistic and cultural phenomena.

Do you know Europe?

It is fair to say that one of the most remarkable moments of this year's festival will be the performance by the phenomenal Finnish accordionist and celebrated eccentric Kimmo Pohjonen, who also appeared at the very first edition of Ethno Port. The concert promises to be all the more exhilarating as the accordionist will be joined by... the Amadeus Orchestra, conducted by Anna Duczmal-Mróz!

Pohjonen has released albums whose covers proudly state that all sounds were created solely using the accordion or his voice. In his hands, the instrument takes on entirely unprecedented timbres and sonic textures. He has recorded solo, as well as with the Tapiola Sinfonietta and the KTU project, in which he was accompanied by... Trey Gunn and Pat Mastelotto, known from King Crimson, and ultimately the legendary Kronos Quartet. What will Pohjonen sound like with the Poznań orchestra? Make sure to discover that for yourself in person.

Speaking of European artists, don't miss the appearance of the Castilian group Vigüela, who revive and reinterpret traditional songs from La Mancha, the region immortalised by the legendary Don Quixote. The ensemble works with archival material, breathing new life into old melodies and infusing them with fresh energy and contemporary sound.

All the faces of Africa

For decades, the undisputed star of the world music scene has been the exceptional Senegalese artist Cheikh Lô. Having recorded his landmark albums for the prestigious and, one might say, cult label World Circuit (known also for the success of Buena Vista Social Club and Ali Farka Touré), he arrives in Poznań as an accomplished, seasoned figure of contemporary West African music.

The performance by AZMZ - Bnat Louz & Raskas promises an exotic journey into the reimagining of musical roots. It brings together the captivating all-female Ahwach ensemble Bnat Louz from Tafraout, Morocco and the Casablanca-based duo Raskas. Their collaboration is an "immersive performance" at the intersection of Amazigh (Berber) heritage, electronic music, and visual art. The concept draws on the captivating traditions of ahwach - polyphonic singing accompanied by instruments and dance.

Complementing this rich African diversity will be a concert that brings to life the remarkable vocal traditions of the continent's southern regions. Offering a vivid insight into this cultural landscape, the Thanda Choir from South Africa brings an artistic experience rooted in intricate vocal harmonies and a profound sense of collective identity and spirituality. Their repertoire draws on Zulu and Xhosa traditions, where singing functions not merely as a form of artistic expression, but also as a social and ritual practice.

Looking east

Being a meeting point for artistic expression from distant parts of the world, Ethno Port naturally relies on the collaboration of artists from different cultural spheres. This year will be no different. One of the most compelling examples is the Stringed Compass Duo, a Syrian-Colombian partnership featuring Thabet Azzawi on oud and daf, and Max Loeb García on guitar. A captivating fusion of Eastern musical sensibilities and Western traditions in their broadest sense will also be presented by The Turbans - an international collective based in London.

Another cross-cultural partnership will be offered by the Pankisi Ensemble, a group of artists from the adjacent border regions of Georgia and Chechnya performing traditional songs and dances from the Caucasus region, preserved and passed down across generations. Their performances are distinguished by polyphonic singing and energetic dance forms accompanied by traditional instrumentation.

Also in the lineup is Deniz Mahir Kartal from Turkey. This multi-instrumentalist draws freely on traditional music, blending it with jazz and other genres. His instrumental palette is equally diverse, encompassing the evocative duduk and kaval, alongside the saxophone, clarinet and cağlama - a hybrid instrument combining the traditional Turkish bağlama with... the electric guitar.

It is fair to say that one of the highlights of this year's festival will be the performance by the Persian group Rastak. Founded in 1997, they are among the most renowned ensembles in Iranian folk music. The group's mission is to collect, document and reinterpret traditional music, bringing together language, culture and history, traditional instruments and forms, with contemporary rhythms. Their rich musical culture, sensitivity to harmony and deep respect for sound make listening to their work a genuinely fascinating experience.

Polish, Podlasie, Roma...

The festival's organisers have long accustomed audiences to an annual showcase of compelling developments within the Polish tradition-inspired music scene - a field often overlooked and unjustly undervalued. This year's programme of Polish artists, with its stylistic and artistic diversity, is almost dizzying.

Despite their relatively short history, Hajda Banda can already be regarded as one of the established names in Polish folk music. They describe themselves as "The voice of Podlasie in your dance hall!". This Polish-Belarusian ensemble performs a traditional repertoire of songs and dances from the Podlasie and western Belarus regions. Old polkas, obereks, kujawiaks and waltzes from both sides of the Białowieża Forest are delivered with youthful energy and an artistic sensitivity shaped by the old masters of rural music.

The performance by the much-discussed duo Sw@da & Niczos is presumed to generate no less excitement. Note in particular that Niczos, or Nika Jurczuk, was for years a key member of Hajda Banda. She now mainly performs in the duo, the other half of which is Wiktor Szczygieł, responsible for electronic instruments. Their participation in last year's Eurovision Song Contest qualifiers, which attracted considerable nationwide attention, brought them wide recognition. Their energetic, dynamic performances, blending echoes of Podlasie with contemporary dance and trance music, have earned them widespread popular acclaim. They describe their style as the "Podlasie Bounce".

I consider it truly special that Teresa Mirga and Kałe Bała will perform in Poznań during this year's festival. They are arguably the foremost performers of Roma music worldwide, having demonstrated for decades that its value lies not in sequins, trinkets or fashionable adornments, but in the powerful spirit of tradition expressed through outstanding artistic quality, interwoven with a modest, unpretentious yet deeply authentic message.

Kapela Odloty will also appear, reviving the old music of eastern Wielkopolska and bringing it back to life. Their repertoire will include kujawiaks, obereks and wiwats from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Independent paths

It has long been recognised that a significant, though still underexploited, opportunity for Polish folk music lies in engaging with alternative, underground and independent art. I am pleased to note that this year's Ethno Port will offer a vivid, live testing ground for such ideas.

We will be treated to a performance by Alameda (now more accurately stylised as ||Ala||Meda||), - and I don't hesitate to say this - one of the most remarkable Polish bands of the past decade or so. The group has existed in various line-ups and stylistic formations, consistently seeking inspiration at the intersections of genres and musical trends. The recent name change is understood as a deliberate shift away from Anglo-Saxon frameworks towards world music sensibilities. The result of these explorations is its latest incarnation, born of collaboration with Noums Dembele, a kora player from Burkina Faso. It is worth noting that ||Ala||Meda|| is a distinctive independent supergroup, bringing together musicians long active on the scene and led by Jakub Ziołek, known to audiences from projects such as Innercity Ensemble, Stara Rzeka, Kapital, T'ien Lai and Jantar.

Polski Piach, led by another visionary, Patryk Zakrocki, has for some time been producing highly compelling music. The trio's first two albums, true to their titles (Południe, Północ, meaning South, North), suggested geographical and cultural exploration; on the third, the artists ventured further still, weaving together threads and dissolving boundaries. Blues from the Mississippi Delta, the African wilderness and the banks of the Vistula all form their palette of inspirations. This time, they will primarily present works by Zenon Kowalowski, a composer of music for animated films, among others. The concert's title? Polski Piach gra Reksia (Polski Piach plays Reksio, the Dog)!

It is difficult not to regard the live debut of Wojciech Jachna's project Kujawski Ansambl as an important moment. It is one of the most striking albums released in Poland last year. The leader is an accomplished trumpeter from the world of jazz and improvised music. The album takes the form of a radio play, the central figure being his grandmother who, years ago, made a series of significant recordings for Radio Pomorza i Kujaw featuring folk ensembles and singers from the regions of Kujawy, Pałuki and Kashubia. In the studio, Wojciech Jachna was joined by a number of guest musicians. How will he sound on stage? I'm very curious to find out!

Another ensemble - Czereśnie - appears to draw inspiration from alternative and avant-folk traditions. It is a band (though not exclusively) for children, unlike any other on the scene. Its leader is Andrzej Zagajewski, recipient of Polityka's Passport Award together with the band Hańba! (which he also fronts). His music aims to transcend mere entertainment and stimulate the sensitivity and creativity of its listeners.

Needless to say, Ethno Port is more than just concerts. The programme additionally features talks, film screenings, discussions and workshops, as well as shopping and catering areas. Ultimately, the festival is a true four-day celebration in the heart of Poznań. As has been the case for several years now, the musical programme will be concentrated in three main spaces: the Castle's Grand Hall, the Castle Courtyard and Park Mickiewicza, the film screenings will be shown in the Castle cinema, while some meetings will take place in the Clock Hall. The open courtyard in front of the Castle will most likely host less formal activities. We are in for several beautiful and hopefully sunny days filled with music from every corner of the world!

Tomasz Janas

translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski

Ethno Port
11-14.06
the Castle's Grand Hall, the Castle Courtyard and Park Mickiewicza
for more: ethnoport.pl

Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2026