BALKAN AFFAIRS

Six composers from the six republics of the former Yugoslavia have dealt with the effects of the Balkan wars, which continue to shape the societies of their home countries to this day–and which are once again coming depressingly close to European consciousness. With different approaches to the subject matter, they unfold darkly grotesque scenarios: a clash of the most diverse prayer practices, an ironic commentary on the exorbitant inflation in disintegrating Yugoslavia, a mantra-like invocation of future happiness in the bosom of the EU, an impressive recreation of physical and psychological violence, and an illusionless fairy tale about dominance and demarcation. With the encounter of vocal art and experimental electronics, the six artists succeed in making a strong, sound-intensive, gripping statement.

Program:

Hanan Hadžajlić: Requiem Ex Machina – for six amplified voices (2022/23) GP
Jug Marković: NULA Music – for six voices (2022) GP
Ana Pandevska: Electroacoustic mantra From Ex YU to EU – for soprano, mezzo soprano and fixed media (2023) GP
Nina Perović: Penetrations III – for six vocals and electronics (2022/23) GP
Petra Strahovnik: SCREAdoM – for five voices, sound installation and electronics (2023) GP
Helena Skljarov: The Blue Giraffe  – for five voices, electronics, and video (2023) GP