Stage programme

Raised in Tangier’s Gnawa tradition and initiated from the age of ten, Maâlem Rida Stitou brings together voice, guembri, drums and metal castanets. His repertoire draws on ancestral songs and dances passed from father to son, alongside experience in musical fusion.

The Georgian Dance Assembly “Sakartvelo”, based at the Georgian Cultural Center in the Netherlands, brings Georgia’s rich heritage to the stage. Gandagana brings grace and celebration; Khevsuruli combines bravery, romance and sword-fighting, accompanied by the Folk Song Ensemble “Sakartvelo”.

The Vietnamese Association presents three dance stories: the graceful Lotus Dance, the powerful Legendary Bloodline of Lạc Hồng and the energetic H’Mong Flute Dance. Together they reflect purity, resilience, national pride and Vietnam’s cultural diversity.

Xochiquetzal brings three folk dances from coastal Sinaloa to the stage: La Guacamaya’s playful macaw, a mischievous coyote and the lively El Toro Mambo. Expect rapid footwork, dynamic skirt movements and playful scenes rooted in Mexican folklore.

MRIYA, Ukrainian for ‘dream’, presents authentic traditional folk dance passed from one generation to the next. Through atmospheric music and expressive movement, each step tells a story and evokes the countryside, communities and cultural soul of Ukraine.

Mexican troubadour Alberto Zarraga, from Durango, brings his voice and guitar to Harmony Hub in a performance rooted in Mexican music. An experienced singer, musician and composer, he shares a repertoire shaped by years of performing in Mexico and the Netherlands.

Kud Tamo Daleko’s group takes the audience on a journey through Serbia with traditional dance, music and song. The performance keeps folklore close to a younger generation and reflects the belief that culture is a bridge between people and generations.

Manyu Women Association Europe brings Cameroonian women from the South and North-West, now living across Europe, together in traditional women’s dance. Rooted in Manyu heritage, the group stands for unity, compassion, empowerment and support for communities back home.

LVkorisNL unites Latvian singers from across the Netherlands in traditional folk songs and contemporary choral arrangements. Through expressive harmonies and melodies shaped by nature, history and identity, the choir shares Latvia’s culture of collective singing.

Alma Latina presents Tinku, a Bolivian stage dance inspired by an ancestral ceremonial tradition practised in northern Potosí. Energetic footwork, dynamic formations and audience participation honour its Indigenous roots while creating a shared cultural experience.

Romanian-born panflutist Mariana Preda presents the nai in a concert rooted in Romanian musical heritage. A Conservatorium van Amsterdam graduate, she bridges traditional, classical and contemporary music, revealing the instrument’s warmth, range and expressive voice.

Led by Keti Tsiklauri, Ensemble Sakartvelo performs Georgian songs in distinctive polyphony, where harmonies may clash before flowing together. Authentic instruments such as panduri and chonguri add regional colour to a repertoire drawn from across Georgia.

The Oman Cultural Caravan brings traditional music and dance to the stage, offering an authentic glimpse of Oman’s cultural heritage through live performance, rhythm and movement.

Yellofox opens up its folk songs to musicians from different backgrounds in The Embassy Sessions. Expect a one-off live collaboration where new voices, instruments and musical traditions meet on stage at Embassy Festival.