Balkan Trafik music festival under threat after 20-year run

Balkan Trafik, a festival dedicated to Balkan music that has been held in Brussels for 20 years, has been cancelled in 2025.

The organisers said they hoped that this is only a break, but the factors behind the cancellation could threaten future runs as well: exploding costs and uncertainties about exemptions to noise regulations.

“It has become increasingly difficult to hold loud events in Brussels,” founder Nicolas Wieërs said.

“You need exemptions, there are a series of rules, which are justified and which we accept, but there are a lot of uncertainties. The aim is to find an indoor venue, still in Brussels-City [in 2026].”

The festival has drawn large crowds and popular acts. Last year, French-born Spanish musician Manu Chao performed at the festival and the event regularly attracts between 8,000 and 10,000 festivalgoers each year.

“I sincerely hope that this is only a break,” Wieërs said.

“It’s difficult to bear this explosion in the costs of an outdoor festival. It’s much more expensive than an indoor festival.

"The costs are double but the revenue doesn’t double. The rental of a stage, for example, has doubled, to which are added the prices of energy and other things. It is very difficult for a small festival like ours."

Wieërs remains hopeful, however. “I had to take a break this year, but it's a step aside to evolve better,” he said.

“We are a resilient festival that campaigns against the standardisation of culture and we want to stay that way.”