Win tickets to Balkan Trafik! festival in Brussels from 19 to 21 November

Remaining true to its mission of building bridges between Belgium and the Balkans, the popular Brussels festival Balkan Trafik! takes over the capital's landmark the Bourse for its 20th edition from 19 to 21 November.

The music and arts festival returns after a one year hiatus with a programme that enriches the dialogue between heritage and the contemporary scenes of southeast Europe. It also fully embraces diversity by encompassing music, original artistic creations, dance, fashion, social gatherings and regional gastronomy.

This is the first time that the event is staged at the Bourse, transforming the iconic building into an immersive indoor experience for festivalgoers. It occupies four stages that enable audiences to explore different musical worlds, a “Balkan Village,” music lounges and dedicated meeting spaces.

The line-up spans a wide spectrum of genres from Gypsy brass music, electronic beats and Unesco-recognised ancient polyphonic singing to Gypsy punk, Greek hip-hop and Gypsy jazz.

Among some 15 acts performing in the festival are Turkish musician Cem Yıldız, the Albanian ensemble Krojet e Velçës (pictured above) and the Fabijan Selimović Brass Band from Serbia. Four DJs across three evenings keep the party going until 1.30 every night, including Ukrainian-Moldovan DJ Shahash Akrimski who delivers a blend of breakbeat, jungle, drum'n'bass and electronic music.

Among Belgian artists are the Muriel D’Ailleurs & Jama Orchestra and the Belgian-Greek trumpeter Dominic Ntoumos.

On the culinary front, festivalgoers can enjoy authentic Balkan cuisine, a carefully curated selection of wines from southeast Europe, and of course, Belgian beers. VIP passes provide access to the Bourse rooftop for a premium experience.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, from 18.30 to midnight, there are traditional sicanje tattoo sessions. These temporary inking activities come at an extra charge.

A highly eclectic programme on Saturday afternoon (14.30-18.30) is free for the public thanks to support from the European Committee of the Regions. It includes a fashion show and catwalk parade that presents creators and designers from the Balkans and the Belgian diaspora. There’s also discussions with young mayors from the Balkans that range from Roma issues to EU enlargement and additional artistic and cultural activities, including an Albanian Clarinet workshop with Josif Shukalari. 

Bulletin readers are invited to enter a competition for tickets – including VIP passes for the rooftop experience – for the opening evening on 19 November. It kicks off at 18.30 with a live set from DJ Shahash Akrimski, followed by a full musical programme. A highlight is the original festival creation Balkaniada by Clejani: Marga, Bea, Fulgy, Viorica & Ioniță feat. Florin Salam that explores Romanian and Roma traditional music.

Says the festival’s founder and organiser Nicolas Wieers of the upcoming celebration: “More than a music festival, Balkan Trafik! is an immersive journey into another world — without ever leaving Brussels.”

Festival tickets for each day, which includes six concerts, are priced at €35.

Balkan Trafik!
19-21 November
The Bourse,
Place de la Bourse
Brussels

Win! A ticket to the opening evening on 19 November. Simply fill in your details below. We'll email you on Monday (9 November) if you've won.