MARCH 2010 – SOUTHEAST EUROPE: PEOPLE AND CULTURE – A CULTURAL JOURNEY

Welcome to the March newsletter edition of Southeast Europe: People and Culture!

Now is the time to join us on Southeast Europe: A Cultural Journey! This spring, an eclectic group of musicians, writers, filmmakers and culinary artists from the Western Balkans and Turkey will be presenting the culture of the region through an exciting programme of live events in eight European cities.

The tour began on 17 March in Germany ( Nuremberg,  Passau), and is currently making its way through Austria ( Linz,  Salzburg). In May and June, it continues with events in Belgium and the Netherlands - so watch this space for more updates!

Some of the artists participating in the tour include  Boban and Marko Marković Orchestar from Serbia, whom featured in the last edition of the newsletter. Film directors  Ognjen Sviličić from Croatia and  Kujtim Çashku from Albania, both among the great practitioners of contemporary Southeast European cinema, will be discussing their work at special film screenings. Visitors will also have the opportunity to hear authors such as  Fatos Kongoli (Albania),  Edo Popović (Croatia) and  Dragan Velikić (Serbia) read excerpts from their acclaimed literary works.

And these are just a few of the highlights of the cultural celebration that will bring some of Southeast Europe’s best-kept cultural secrets to audiences across Europe.

Check out the  programme and join us for a unique journey of cultural discovery!

THIS MONTH’S NEW FEATURES

This month’s new features prove that good things happen when artists put their creativity together. From ‘Sarajevo Winter’ to Zagreb’s Museum of Contemporary Arts, we’re celebrating the fact that whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

  The 'Sarajevo Winter' - A Gathering Ground For Artists from Across The Globe
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: 19 March 2010

For 26 years now, winter in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a time of international cultural exchange. Organised by the International Peace Centre, the first ' Sarajevo Winter' festival took place from Dec. 21, 1984 to April 6, 1985. The festival has brightened Sarajevo winters ever since, and has become a symbol of freedom, creativity, and worldwide cross-cultural dialogue.

 Click here to read more

  Zagreb’s New Museum of Contemporary Art
- Croatia: 19 March 2010

The new  Museum of Contemporary Art (MSU) set in Zagreb at the crossroads of Većeslav Holjevac and Dubrovnik Avenues is an architectonic achievement, which in the years to come will definitely become one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.

 Click here to read more

Southeast Europe: A Cultural Journey - Featured Artist Boris Kovač is a composer, musician and multimedia artist from Novi Sad, Serbia. He was taught the accordion as a child, later took up the saxophone and went on to become a self-taught multi-instrumentalist. His musical style can shift from joyful exuberance to aching melancholy, but his use of free improvisation underpinned by a conceptual exploration of the musical process is always guaranteed to keep audiences riveted. He has released more than a dozen albums, spanning a myriad of musical genres. He has participated in over a hundred new music and contemporary theatre.

WHAT’S ON

As many of you know, the  Southeast Europe: People and Culture - Photo competition closed earlier this year with some 3200 images submitted from photographers all over Europe! The 24 jury-selected semi-finalists are now online for you to vote on your favourite. Let us know who you think should win the Public’s Favourite Award - simply click  here!

Public voting ends Friday 26 March.

RECIPE FROM THE REGION

This month’s recipe is a Turkish take on a global favourite. Baked Turkish Rice Pudding is simple to prepare and will help you add some international flair to your next meal. Have a look at   this recipe and try it for yourself.

Love to cook food from Southeast Europe? Why not share the taste of the region and send your traditional recipes to:

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