The not-for-profit organisation, Muziekpublique, keeps traditional music and dance alive in Belgi…

The not-for-profit organisation, Muziekpublique, keeps traditional music and dance alive in Belgium through an ambitious program of concerts, courses, accompaniment of artists and its own music label. We bring artists and members of the public together in a spirit of discovery and respect for cultural diversity. Muziekpublique carries out extensive background work to provide a platform for talented artists representing the musical cultures of the entire world and hence promote intercultural dialogue through music. We also provide a framework and support for artists so that they can keep their music alive and allow them to act as intercultural mediators, promoting sociability in the multicultural context that is Brussels. Muziekpublique also strives towards being a citizen-led movement that integrates and mobilises people who are eager to share its values and philosophy. In 2017, the Flemish Minister of Culture, Sven Gatz, presented the Flemish Culture Prize for Music to Muziekpublique. The jury unanimously praised Muziekpublique for the integrated approach of the particularly rich musical diversity in Flanders and Brussels. An approach that resonates well beyond these regions. According to the jury, the almost family care for the artist and the educational setting gives Muziekpublique a unique profile as one of the important national and international actors for both traditional and folk music. A year-round program of concerts, featuring Belgian and international artists, forms the core of our activities. The concerts take place indoors and outdoors, mainly at the theatre Molière in Elsene and in the city of Brussels. With the Hide & Seek Festival Muziekpublique opens the doors of undiscovered places in Brussels for acoustic concerts. In addition, there is the annual Living Room Music, an acoustic music festival in Brussels living rooms. Furthermore, Muziekpublique gives opportunities to unknown folk music groups at the Queimadas (folk balls in the St-Gillis community house). The Muziekpublique label chooses to put the talent of local musicians in the spotlight. We do this through the artistic and logistical support of musicians living in Belgium or are in residence at Muziekpublique. It is our intention to assist these artists as much as possible and to develop their career at home and abroad. Artists of the label are among others the vocal ensemble Voxtra (amalgamation of Albanian iso-polyphony, tenore of the Sardinian countryside, singing of southern Madagascar, Belgian traditional singing from Walloon and Flemish regions and Finnish yoik), Refa (a band of musicians who arrived as refugees in Belgium and come from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tibet), Vardan Hovanissian & Emre Gültekin (Armenian duduk and Turkish saz) and Tamala (the encounter between 2 Senegalese musicians and a Belgian folk violinist). Muziekpublique’s World Music & Dance Academy offers more than 50 courses of traditional music and dances. Besides the oud and the kora you can also learn gipsy guitar, tango violin or Brazilian percussion. All classes are given by professional musicians and dancers. Each teacher practices his or her own pedagogical approach. Music theory is not necessary for a good part of the courses, since learning is often based on oral transmission, as in the case of many cultures. Muziekpublique has 9 employees and a community of about 150 committed volunteers of various ages and different ethnic origins to help us realise our goals.