Over the past nine editions, Porto Etno – Rijeka’s only music festival dedicated to world music and ethnic music – has surprised, delighted, and entertained the audience, all under its motto “Trading Good Vibes”. This year’s edition opens with the exhibition 10 Years of Porto Etno on Rijeka’s Korzo, where a selection of memorable photographs will be displayed on ten exhibition stands from 20 to 25 May.
Voices in Etno in Croatian Cultural Centre on Sušak present the big names of the ethno scene
Voices in Etno will launch this year’s music programme on 21 May at the Croatian Cultural Centre on Sušak. As tradition dictates, the programme is orchestrated by the Porto Etno Orchestra under the baton of Zoran Majstorović. This year they are once again joined by some of the most prominent voices of the Croatian ethno and world music scene, including Lidija Bajuk, Nina Ćorić, Bruno Krajcar and Domagoj Vuković – Vuk. Together, they promise an evening that blends original expression, tradition, and contemporary approach.
Lidija Bajuk, one of the pioneers of the Croatian ethno scene, preserves and reinterprets musical heritage through both original compositions and traditional songs. Nina Ćorić is known for her powerful voice and a striking fusion of flamenco and her own musical heritage. Bruno Krajcar fosters a unique musical expression that connects the traditions of Istria and Kvarner with universal musical language, while Domagoj Vuković – Vuk creates a compelling original soundscape inspired by ethno tradition and mythology, employing distinctive vocal techniques and traditional instruments.
Expectations are justifiably high for the Porto Etno Orchestra, the Festival’s mainstay since its earliest days, that has never disappointed. Last year, the Orchestra performed alongside the outstanding Čipkice and Ether at GAT, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
Grunt and Ana Lua Caiano in Palach
Day two shifts the festival events to Club Palach, where visitors can expect a high-energy programme tailored for fans of modern ethno fusions. Slovenian band Grunt and Portuguese artist Ana Lua Caiano take the stage with a blend of tradition and cutting-edge production, placing rhythm, experimentation, and collective dance energy firmly in the spotlight.
Ana Lua Caiano blends Portuguese musical heritage with electronic music, and her acclaimed debut album Vou Ficar Neste Quadrado has attracted significant international attention. Meanwhile, Grunt delivers an original, genre-defying sound, exploring various musical influences and layers of time to create dynamic, unpredictable sounds that combine the past and the present.
Porto Etno Parade and Melting Pot at the Korzo
Saturday, 23 May, is reserved for Porto Etno Parade which will once again bring a vibrant celebration of colour, movement, and traditional sound to Rijeka’s Korzo. Beginning at 11 a.m. from the Jadranski trg square, the parade will make its way along the Korzo to the Titov trg square (Kont). Numerous cultural and artistic associations, and folklore ensembles will present themselves. The event continues at Kont with the signature Melting Pot gastro event, where visitors can taste a variety of international specialties and discover the cultural heritage of national minorities.
Charity Lubenice After Party at Manual
The Festival will close later that evening with a celebration of solidarity, as the Charity Lubenice After Party takes over Club Manual. The line-up includes Turnmaster Tim, Asimin Asanof, Lorens, and Tondini.
Music has always been a language of solidarity, and the dancefloor a space of encounter. By buying cakes and food, visitors will directly contribute to the evening’s charity fundraiser, with all proceeds going to MAP – Medical Aid for Palestine, an organisation providing medical care and healthcare training in Gaza.
Turnmaster Tim is one of the pioneers of the regional DJ scene, renowned for his longstanding presence, extensive musical knowledge, and eclectic sets spanning from hip hop, funk, soul, disco to electronic music. His sets reflect the feeling for the crowd and the pulse of the dancefloor.
Rijeka-based artist Asimin Asanof (Edin Haliti) is a musician, DJ, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist whose work effortlessly bridges genres, ranging from world music to electronic music.
Active on the electronic scene since 2000, Lorens is known for rich array of styles, ranging from electro and techno to dub and reggae, creating layered and atmospheric dance selection.
Rijeka producer Tondini – also one of Porto Etno’s organisers and founding members – brings her signature ethno-disco sound, blending folk traditions with disco grooves and modern club rhythms in sets filled with unexpected remixes and global musical influences.
A Festival that connects
This year, Porto Etno once again takes over Rijeka, unfolding across multiple locations throughout the city – including the Korzo, the Titov trg square (Kont), the Croatian Cultural Centre on Sušak, Club Palach and Club Manual – thus reaffirming its place as the city’s important meeting point for diverse cultures.
The organisers at the Croatian Cultural Centre on Sušak highlight the valued support of their partner, Europe Direct Rijeka, part of the Rijeka Development Agency Porin, whose mission is to promote European values, solidarity, and tolerance.
The Festival’s realisation is made possible thanks to the support of its partners and friends: the City of Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, Erste Bank, Plodine, the Rijeka Tourist Board, Club Palach, the Ri Rock Association, Club Manual, and Lineatrad as the media partner.
Porto Etno continues to be a celebration of everything that unites us – music, food, connection, and openness to diversity. In its anniversary edition, Rijeka’s beloved world music festival once again places emphasis on togetherness and solidarity as the priorities of our city, as well as the entire world.