Traditional music

Culture news

Windcraft Festival: the musical feast that celebrates wind instruments

Bands from across the world and famous artists presented their work in the Katydata village in Nicosia, Cyprus.

04/08/2025

Culture Series

Azerbaijani vocalist channels ancient sounds into global expression

In partnership with Azpromo

Azerbaijani singer Alim Qasimov reflects on his roots, artistry, and how traditional mugham carries emotion and meaning far beyond borders.

03/07/2025

Culture news

Swada x Niczos: Discover the new twist to traditional Slavic music

At the crossroads traditional music, electronic beats and a language that is still only spoken in villages, Swada x Niczos is bringing Slavic folk traditions into the present day.

29/06/2025

Modern Nomads

Kazakh artists blend ancient nomadic sounds with contemporary styles

In partnership with MDQ

In this episode of Modern Nomads, we meet Kazakh musicians who are fusing ancient traditions with modern genres, captivating global audiences and breathing new life into the country's rich cultural heritage.

05/03/2025

Modern Nomads

Meet Kazakhstan’s artists reviving tradition through modern music

In partnership with MDQ

In this episode of Modern Nomads, we meet kui-pop pioneer Aktoty Bolshova and electronic music trailblazer Nazira Kassenova in Almaty to find out how they are fusing Kazakh heritage with modern sounds to inspire new global audiences.

11/12/2024

Scenes

Watch: The young performers celebrating their heritage through dance in Georgia.

In partnership with Media City

Dance is an essential part of Georgian history and culture, and the locals are proud to perform traditional routines whose origins date back decades.

12/11/2024

Culture news

Dresden Symphony Orchestra presents mechanical performance

The artistic minds of the Dresden Symphony Orchestra decided to look into the future to commemorate a quarter-century of orchestral music in the German city.

14/10/2024

Culture news

Last French accordion maker closes after 105 years

The traditional French accordion is no more, as Maugein, one of France’s oldest accordion manufacturers, closes shop after 105 years. The owner blames Chinese competition and Covid for the firm’s demise. The final Maugein strap accordion is delivered to its last customer today.

07/10/2024

Scenes

Meet the children shining a spotlight on China’s ancient operatic tradition

In partnership with Media City

"Cantonese opera differs from movies because movies can have many takes. But in Cantonese Opera, every move that looks easy actually is very hard to perform with finesse."

09/10/2023

Culture news

London exhibition tells the story of Nigeria's pioneering Fuji music

Delve into the Fuji music genre's roots, witness rare artefacts, and celebrate its vibrant subculture from the 1960s to today in London's latest pop-up exhibition.

19/08/2023

Culture news

Watch: Indonesia breaks world record for largest angklung performance

As a pre-ceremony event for the 78th Anniversary of Indonesia's independence, 15110 angklung players gathered to break an incredible world record.

08/08/2023

Culture news

Five unique European music traditions you may not know about

From Slovakian bagpipes to poetic duelling in Cyrpus, Europe has a lot of enchanting musical traditions. #WorldMusicDay.

21/06/2023

The Dialogue

Rhythms of the Gulf: The singing star bringing Khaliji music to the world

In partnership with Media City

Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi talks to The Dialogue about his successes, performing on the 2022 FIFA World Cup song and how he's aiming to take Khaliji music mainstream

10/06/2023

Qatar 365

Qatar's Rich Arabic Musical Heritage Blends with Western Traditions

In partnership with Media City

We all know that Qatar is preparing to host the Fifa World Cup 2022, but did you also know that its rich musical heritage is embracing influences from around the world? The fusion of traditional Arabic music with modern technology and outside influences is helping to create dynamic new sounds.

07/09/2022

Culture news

8 unique European music traditions that are protected by UNESCO

Italy wants opera to be protected by UNESCO, what other European musical traditions are recognised?

18/05/2022

No Comment

Azerbaijan: Shusha welcomes the 5th International Folklore Festival

On Thursday, May 12, the 5th International Folklore Festival, also called 'Kharibulbul', kicked off in Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan.

17/05/2022

No Comment

Egypt's ancient 'zar' ritual puts exorcism on stage

At Cairo's Makan Cultural Centre, the Mazaher ensemble performs a lighter version of "zar", an music and dance ritual with centuries-old roots, that aims to ward off or exorcise jinn, or evil spirits.

10/05/2022

Cult

9th century Uzbek maths genius stars at Venice Biennale

In partnership with Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan

With the pandemic under control, Venice is ready once again to host the Biennale Arte. And for the first time, Uzbekistan has its own pavilion, just a year on from its first participation in the architecture edition.

29/04/2022

Culture news

'Kulning': The art behind the ancient Scandinavian cow herding call

Kulning is a vocal technique which developed in central Sweden in the Middle Ages, used to call cattle back to small seasonal farms. Today, it's become an art form in its own right.

14/04/2022

Cult

Azerbaijan's Gabala Music Festival returns after a year's hiatus

In partnership with The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Held at the iconic Heydar Aliyev Congress Centre, orchestras performed for the first time in a year and a half after the pandemic put live music on pause.

16/08/2021