EUROPAfest

EUROPAfest

Design: Ana C. Dobrescu
Location Bucharest, Romania
Years active 1993–present
Genre Jazz, blues, pop, classic
Website www.EUROPAfest.ro

EUROPAfest is an international music festival held each spring in May, in Bucharest, Romania. The festival is considered a country brand being the only one in Europe which presents four music genres in a single event: jazz, blues, pop and classical music, bringing together bands and classical musicians from 45 countries around the globe.[1][2]

During festival, cultural events take place, including competitions, workshops, master-classes, jam sessions and concerts.

History

The festival concept was born in 1993. At first it was called Jeunesses Musicales International Festival and hosted only classical music events, but the idea of the festival was changed in 2002. Together with the new name of EUROPAfest, three more music genres were added to the festival's agenda: jazz, blues and pop.

In 2005 the festival came under the patronage of Their Royal Highnesses Princess Margarita and Prince Radu.[3]

Every year, the EUROPAfest brings more than 300 musicians from 45 countries.

Activities

Opening concert – Europe's Day

Bucharest International Jazz Competition

The first day is dedicated to celebrating Europe Day – with jazz, blues, pop and classical music performed. Besides the European celebration, the Opening Gala includes performances by international artists, speeches by public and diplomatic personalities and a presentation of the program for the following days.

Jazz, blues and pop concerts

Caffe Festival

For the next days, the festival offers jazz, blues and pop concerts performed by European musicians, both in traditional and unconventional concert venues. Jazz, blues and popconcerts take place every day of the festival. National and international artists perform in Bucharest locations.

Bucharest International Jazz competition

Bucharest International Jazz Competition is one of the three jazz competitions in Europe. Instrumentalists and vocalists aged up to 35, from all over the world, participate in the contest, playing jazz to the audience while the jury members listen. On its last edition, the competition takes place in the Auditorium Hall, within the premises of the Royal Palace, and at the Art Center Tinerimea Romana, ArCub.

Jeunesses International Music competition

Jeunesses International Music Competition

Jeunesses International Music Competition is the oldest annual event in the festival with the disciplines of violin, flute, clarinet, piano and composition. It has three age categories: from the youngest to the old players to the master category which includes competitors up to 30 years old. Usually, the competition has around 100 musicians from 35–40 countries. The jury is made up of distinguished professors and international performers.

Jam sessions and workshops

The competition is followed by jam sessions and workshops, under the guidance of international specialists. Each year, jam sessions are organized between competitors and already famous jazz players.

Both jazz and classical music performers can attend workshops organized by international specialists. At these seminars, the artists have the chance to work on their music.

Caffe Festival

Caffe Festival introduces the idea of concerts taking place in unconventional venues. Each night, during the festival, concerts of jazz, blues or pop take place in pubs, clubs, coffee houses or terraces. The Caffe Festival has been held in Hard Rock Cafe Bucharest, Clubul Taranului and Cafe L'Estaminet.

EUROPAfest Gala

EUROPAfest ends with the Gala – an evening when the best artists of the festival perform and the public has the chance to find out the prize-winners of the contests. The night culminates with performances and jam sessions which bring to an end the week of jazz, blues, pop and classical music. During the event, the Royal House of Romania Diploma is given to a company which was a partner of the festival.

The most prestigious international classical music competition conducted in Romania is preparing to open its gates for the 20th time. Between 18 and 25 May 2013, pianists from 40 countries are invited to Bucharest to compete for awards of 10,000 Euro.[4]

The mission of the contest is to discover, reward and promote the values of the new generation of classical music and to help young musicians in building a successful career.[5]

Artists

During the 19 years of consecutive editions, the festival gathered artists from all over the world.[6]

2010

2011

2012

See also

References

  1. ↑ City Slicker: Bucharest, The Independent, 19 April 2009 Archived 3 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ Top 5 festivals in Europe
  3. ↑ Prince Radu blog, 8 April 2010 Archived 17 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ EUROPAfest on radioromaniacultural.ro
  5. ↑ 2013 contest announcement
  6. ↑ Artists as presented on the festival's website Archived 31 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
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