SEVILLE (VIP-NEWS) — While the industry is facing so many challenges the WOMEX Trade Fair continues to grow: WOMEX exhibitors have reached an all-time high of more than 650 companies, individuals or organizations in a sold out Trade Fair of 320 stands, up significantly from 2007.
More than 2800 delegates from all over the world gathered for 5 days of talk, trade, music and camaraderie. Once again the nightly Showcases were open to the public and hosted in the city centre at the famed Teatro Lope de Vega/Casino de la Exposición (2 stages), and another 2 stages in tents right in the heart of the Plaza de España.
There, enthusiastic Sevillans and delegates mingled and heard act after act of major and upcoming world music stars.
Showcases: 49 acts from 40 countries on 5 stages.
Conferences: more than 2 dozen sessions including several new features like the highly popular one-on-one Mentoring Sessions with industry experts, and numerous Master Classes that advised on legal issues, running festivals and more.
Film screenings: 13 exciting new films on music themes.
In honor of the final year in Sevilla, the event kicked off with a tribute to Andalusia's world-renowned contribution to world music culture, flamenco. Award-winning flamenco great Miguel Poveda performed a riveting show to standing ovations after newcomers Ultra High Flamenco dazzled with their artistry.
This year's WOMEX Award went to folk stalwarts, Muzsikás, from Hungary.
"Listening to Muzsikás connects us to a time and a place when music was intrinsically a political statement and playing your instrument a certain way was a courageous act," said author and producer Joe Boyd in his presentation speech. "The intensity of those times has never left Muzsikás, and we remain lucky to be able to commemorate the spirit of those times and these wonderful musicians with this award." Dániel Hamar, band leader of Muzsikás, said, "It is the greatest honor that could happen to us this year to receive this special award from WOMEX.
We never thought 35 years ago when we started playing and collecting traditional Hungarian folk music in Hungary and Transylvania that one day we would receive such a prestigious award… (We) always dreamt that with our interpretation this pure village music can travel the whole world. We feel that we arrived to a certain stage in our life were music plays a major role.
With this award we receive new energies to continue this musical journey for at least the coming next 35 years!"
A second WOMEX Award, this one for Professional Excellence in the Service of World Music, went to the Folk Music Department of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. "In creating the WOMEX Award," explained WOMEX General Director Gerald Seligman, "we intended to go beyond simple recognition of worthy accomplishment to highlighting lessons about how to work and share in a community of traditions and nations.
That's why we are awarding the Folk Music Department of the Sibelius Academy. We want to focus on the role of enlightened education in preserving – and enhancing – tradition, and of the generosity of the Academy's efforts. They have helped transfer the model to other nations so that other educational institutions may benefit from such an innovative approach to music education."
WOMEX 08 was dedicated to the memory of WOMEX 07 Award winner Andy Palacio, a Garifuna musician and ambassador from Belize who died tragically, early in 2008. He received touching tributes from delegates and the WOMEX team. An Andy Palacio Foundation was announced during the Sunday Award Ceremony.
