The export-import festival, held under the motto Trading Good Vibes, once again breathed new life into the city. Rijeka’s only world music festival has reaffirmed that there is an audience that recognises and values the principles Porto Etno stands for: openness to diversity, solidarity and a sense of community.
Untamed audience – from Festival’s regulars to new faces
Five events took place at five venues across the city over the course of several days – the tenth anniversary edition of Porto Etno once again proved that it is far more than just a festival of music and gastronomy. It is a meeting point for curious minds and living traditions.
The festival opened with the outdoor exhibition 10 Years of Porto Etno on Korzo, which remains on display until 26 May. The retrospective exhibition celebrates a decade of the Festival, inviting visitors to revisit some of Porto Etno’s most memorable moments through a selection of photographs that capture its unique spirit. Over the past days, both locals and visitors of all ages have gathered around the ten exhibition stands, reflecting on the memories. The exhibition bears witness to the dedication of the Festival team, volunteers and wider community that worked tirelessly to import high-quality cultural programmes to the city year after year, programmes that would change perspectives and open doors to new realities.
The Croatian Cultural Centre on Sušak proved to be an ideal new venue for the Festival’s traditional Voices in Etno programme, which offered an evening of powerful performances, diverse musical expressions and unexpected style encounters. The Porto Etno Orchestra, led by artistic director Zoran Majstorović, once again demonstrated why it remains one of the Festival’s defining features. Performances by Lidija Bajuk, Nina Ćorić, Bruno Krajcar and Domagoj Vuković – Vuk, accompanied by the Porto Etno Orchestra under the baton of Zoran Majstorović, offered a powerful, yet personal musical experience to a diverse audience.
The Festival continued to build new international music bridges. The second day of the programme’s music part brought Slovenian group Grunt and Portuguese musician Ana Lua Caiano to the stage in the Palach Club. Alongside its loyal audience, the Festival attracted a large number of new visitors, while some attendees travelled from neighbouring countries specifically for the event. Blending elements of ethno, experiments, electronic music and rituals, the programme transformed Palach into a perfect location to explore creative music landscapes.
Rijeka caught in the global rhythm – when traditional meets unusual
A true celebration of diversity unfolded in the heart of Rijeka as Porto Etno staged its biggest and loudest Porto Etno Parade to date, filling Korzo with tradition, music and dance. Traditional costumes, infectious rhythms and joyful performances from numerous communities once again reminded everyone that cultural diversity is not an obstacle, but rather a source of creativity, dialogue and connection that keeps the city alive and dynamic. The Parade’s final stop was Kont, where traditional Melting Pot programme was organised.
Kont thus became the spot where different tastes from all across the globe met. Visitors could indulge in specialties prepared by numerous minority communities and cultures; from Roma special dishes, Albania, Slovakia, Serbia, Hungary, Macedonia, Italy, Russia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina across Philippines and Ukraine all the way to Afghanistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Iran and Chechnya. A whopping 647 meal portions were sold and different cuisines and folklore music turned Kont into a small map of the world. The official language was the universal language of compassion and understanding.
Saturday afternoon at Kont also offered a rich folklore programme that featured numerous cultural societies and minority communities: Community of the Albanians of the Primorje – Gorski Kotar County, Association of Slovaks Rijeka, Community of Serbs, Palade from Rijeka, Češka beseda Rijeka Association, FilCom Rijeka, RoMorčić Association, Serbian Cultural Society Prosvjeta – Rijeka Branch, National Community of the Bosnians, “St. Vitus“ Development and Integration Centre, Macedonian Cultural Society “Ilinden“, Cultural and Art Society Sevdah, National Community of Montenegrins, Community of the Italians of Rijeka and Opatija, Democratic Community of Hungarians of Croatia, and Russian home, presented by the Coordination of Russian compatriots in the Republic of Croatia – Slavjanka Ensemble.
Solidarity and connection: dance as a collective action
Lubenice after party at Manual Club was the grand finale of the Festival. Numerous visitors closed the anniversary Porto Etno dancing to the rhythm of the top-notch music. The event had a humanitarian tone as well: as a sign of solidarity with Palestine, donations were collected for the humanitarian organisation MAP – Medical Aid for Palestinians. The Festival’s grand finale emphasised its socially responsible aspect, which was reflected in dance moves and rhythms – that was a joint action aimed at a fairer and happier future filled with dance.
Ten years after its first steps, Porto Etno still successfully imports good vibrations and exciting stories from all around the globe. The Festival shall continue to create a space for encounters where differences do not divide, but connect. This year was just another proof that Rijeka has an audience eager to listen, taste, learn and dance – all together.
The volunteers of the Croatian Cultural Centre on Sušak’s Volunteering in Culture programme played an essential role in the implementation of the anniversary edition of Porto Etno. Thanks to their hard work, everything went as planned and was stress-free. Special thanks go to the Festival’s valued partners and supporters: the City of Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, Europe Direct Rijeka (operating within Rijeka Development Agency Porin), Erste Bank, Plodine, Rijeka Tourist Board, Palach Club, Ri Rock Association, Manual Club and Lineatrade as media partner. Their continued support helps Porto Etno grow as a festival that connects people, cultures and ideas.
Photo: Tanja Kanazir