Every year in September, the Tri-City stirs up with an unusual mixture of sounds, languages and colours. We present to our audience artists from various cultural backgrounds: those who work far away from their home countries, and those who draw inspiration from other exotic cultures. Our Festival has become a yearly art event, which cheerfully affirms cultural and artistic variety, establishes the rapport between different nations as well as nurtures mutual tolerance, respect and understanding through art. By means of the festival, we would like to promote positive social attitudes in our city, which in the past functioned as a meeting place of many nations and cultures. We want this image of Gdańsk to remain its distinctive feature in Poland as well as abroad. We would like to draw the special attention of Polish audience to the way, in which particular music styles change, infiltrate and coexist thanks to multicultural performers. We are interested in what happens to music when a representative of a given country and culture sets on a trip to a different country, different culture , which in turn triggers off two processes: infusing elements of music of their home country into the music of the country where they have moved to, and including elements of music of the new place of living in their own indigenous art. It is our belief that this mutual inspiration is possible in aspects of life other than music.

Our Festival offers to the inhabitants of the Tri-City a wonderful possibility to associate with a multinational, multicoloured crowd, creatively manifesting its otherness. Such a meeting should be a significant event for both sides – however, we would particularly like to make it memorable to our spectators, who do not have many opportunities to meet representatives of such exotic cultures on a day-to-day basis.

The third edition of Festival of World Cultures Window onto the World will take place in Gdańsk from 26 to 30 September. This time we have decided to move the main part of the event from the beach to the very heart of the city – our concerts will be held in the magic space of St. John’s Centre and on the open-air stage, which is will be built in Coal Market Square (Targ Węglowy), and will certainly rouse the Main Town at the beginning of autumn.

PROGRAMME OF THE FESTIVAL

21 September, Friday

• 7.00 p.m. - Opening of art exhibition: The Road to Oxiana, Unni Gjertsen (Norway)
  • Re:wizja Gallery/BSCC, admission free

26 September, Wednesday

• Film review Bittersweet - Kameralne Cinema in Gdańsk; Tickets 5/7 PLN, Review pass: 12/18 PLN
  • 7.00 p.m. The Shutka Book of Records
  • 9.00 p.m. Born into Brothels

As a part of 3. World Cultures Festival Window onto the World, the Baltic Sea Cultural Centre would like to invite you to three remarkable documentaries: The Shutka Book of Records, Born into Brothels and Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul.
The films will take us to the magical world of the Balkan Gypsies, Turks living in Istanbul and an infamous red light district of Calcutta. We will have a chance of looking at them with the eyes of the film directors – a British citizen working in India, a Czech person coming to Macedonia and a German Turk who visits the country of his ancestors.Seamingly, everything in each of the three documentaries is different: the place where the characters live and the kind of problems they are dealing with. Yet, there is one thing that is common for all the three films: their characters have been shown through the prism of the art they do. Fatih Akin, Aleksandar Manić and Zana Briski have portrayed people for whom art is a crucial part of their everyday life.

Born into Brothels, directed by: Zana Briski, Ross Kauffman, prod. India / USA 2004
The movie is a tribute to the resiliency of childhood and the restorative power of art. Born into Brothels is a portrait of several unforgettable children who live in the red light district of Calcutta, where their mothers work as prostitutes. Zana Briski, a New York-based photographer, gives each of the children a camera and teaches them to look at the world with new eyes.
Born into Brothels, by Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski, is the winner of the 77th annual Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
(based on kids-with-cameras.org)

The Shutka Book of Records, directed by: Aleksandar Manić, prod. Serbia and Montenegro/ Czech Republic 2005
Though Aleksandar Manić claims that Shutka and all of its inhabitants are real, this specific documentary could easily be read as a fairy tale. We watch a collection of characters (not to say weirdoes) who could be made up by by Fellini or Kusturica – there is a 75-year-old father proud of his sexual conquests, elderly men competing in finding the most touching musical themes from old tapes, an author of a gypsy dictionary that will never be finished.
In the Macedonian Shutka everyone wants to be the best in some discipline – and everyone is given a chance to achieve this aim. In this world of never ending contest, people find a cure not only for boredom, but also the process of aging.
(based on Paweł T. Felis, „Gazeta Wyborcza”)

27 September, Thursday

• Film review Bittersweet - Kameralne Cinema in Gdańsk; Tickets 5/7 PLN, Review pass: 12/18 PLN
  • 5.00 p.m. Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul

Crossing the Bridge. The Sound of Istanbul, direction: Fatim Akin, prod. Germany / Turkey 2005
In Istanbul you don't have to search for music long. It is everywhere – in bars, backyards and streets. Punk-rock, pop, jazz, rap and folklore – the familiar and unfamiliar sounds.
This film is a portrait of modern Istanbul – the city of life and music. Its director, a European, explores the city by walking the streets up and down to the rhythm of the vibrant omnipresent music.
(based on the distributor’s materials)

• 6.00 p.m. Festival Parade - Długa/Długi Targ/Świętojańska street

• Chinese and Indonesian Night - Presentation of Indonesian Dance; St. John’s Church, tickets 5 PLN
  • 7.00 p.m. Kung Fu Choy Lee Fut School of Martial Arts (Poland)
  • Jadwiga Możdżer and Damai (Poland)

Jadwiga Możdżer
Jadwiga Możdżer – an actress, rhythmic groups instructor, dancer, puppet master, theatrical choreographer and director. A lecturer at the Teachers Professional Development Center in Gdańsk, she cooperates with universities as a specialist in the field of Indonesian culture and art and works with artists from many countries. An author of education programmes, she realizes creative workshops comprising various domains of art. One of her passions is also work with children. She is a laureate of grants issued by the President of Gdańsk, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Poland, and the Ministry of Republic of Indonesia. Jadwiga Możdżer also realizes independent artistic projects and is a winner of the award of Children’s Education Centre “Yogya Kids” in Indonesia. She is a choreographer and leader of the Damai group. Their program consists of traditional dances from Bali, Java and Flores islands, and includes choreographies inspired by indigenous tradition as well as dance and theatrical art of South-Eastern Asia. The group started as Jadwiga Możdżer’s project “The Garden of Arts” in 2004. The students of Gdańsk Music School took part in “The Butterflies Dance” (Taniec Motyli). Three of them stayed in the garden and underwent metamorphosis into “Orchids”(Orchidee). The following year the group gained new members – a few younger girls. Its major projects until now have been, among others, “Mirrors of Womanhood” (“Zwierciadła Kobiecości”), “Flores Mass" (“Msza Floresyjska”), “Mozartiana”.

28 September, Friday

• Klezmer & Jazz Night - St. John's Church, tickets: 15/20 PLN
  • 7.00 p.m. Andre Ochodlo's Shalom (Germany/Poland)
  • 9.00 p.m. Max Klezmer Band (Poland)

MAX KLEZMER BAND
The Max Klezmer Band was founded at the end of 1998 – the main drive behind the Band’s formation was their interest in Jewish music. Thanks to an original choice of instruments and constant creative search, they have developed their own original musical style and sound: it links traditional themes and improvisation, explores the depths of the human soul, discovering common cultural and artistic identity of many nations; their music induces reflection and awakens the love of life. Max Klezmer Band has given concerts in Poland and in Europe (Sweden, Belarus, Latvia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, France and Belgium) and has worked with many famous Polish musicians.
Band members: Max Kowalski – double bass; Michael Jones - violin; Piotr Skupniewicz - clarinet; Marek "SMOK" Rajss - percussion; Jacek Hołubowski - acordeon; Bartłomiej Szczepański - drums; Tadeusz Leśniak – piano

Andre Ochodlo
AndrÓ Ochodlo is almost a legendary figure in the Tri-City - an actor, director, singer, promoter of Yiddish culture, but also the founder and director of the Agnieszka Osiecka Atelier Theatre. Ochodlo is well-known in Poland and in Europe mainly as an initiator of music and theatre projects inspired by Yiddish culture. Some of them were recorded on CD’s with such groups as The Minsk Prospectors, The Minsk Klezmer Band or Pressburger Klezmer Band. After one concert in Belarus, the Mińsk press wrote in a weekly "Literatura i Sztuka": "Against the wonderful music background (violin, piano, double bass, drums), the rich, luscious voice of the artist was a breath of fresh air. The audience did not hide their delight at the vocal and dramatic mastery of the soloist or the magnificent performance of musicians”.

29 September, Saturday

• 12 noon Workshop Final Presentation – Rachel Kelly Dance School (Irlandia); Pałac Młodzieży in Gdańsk, admission free

• Open-air Concert - Open-air stage, Targ Węglowy in Gdańsk, admission free
  • 6.00 p.m. The GlennSkii's (USA/Poland)
  • 6.45 p.m. Impacto (Cuba)
  • 7.30 p.m. Biafro (Poland/Nigeria)
  • 8.15 p.m. Maya Cool e sua Banda (Angola)
  • 9.30 p.m. Misty in Roots (Jamaica/UK)

MISTY IN ROOTS
Established in London in 1975, MISTY IN ROOTS is a real legend and a great force of roots music in the world. Their concerts are famous for an unbelievable intensity and great contact with the audience, which enthusiastically reacts not only to music, but also uncompromising lyrics – the band’s answer to the political and social situation of the contemporary world. Being a major force in the Rock Against Racism movement, they have played more concerts than any other band in the movement. Thanks to that, the musicians face new possibilities, which have allowed them to play with such eminent figures as Tom Robinson, The Ruts or Elvis Costello. Their music has different shades - lively, such as recorded during “Live At the Counter Eurovision” concerts (1978), milder, as in “Wise and Foolish” (1982), down to albums inspired by their stay in Africa, i.e.“Earth” (1983) and “Msi O Tunya” (1985); nevertheless, the main theme of all their works is the message of equality and justice. In 1983 MISTY IN ROOTS was the first reggae band to have crossed the Iron Curtain and come to Gdańsk, to show their support to the “Solidarity” movement. 24 years later, musicians - still staying true to their roots - will be playing to the Festival’s audience.

Maya Cool e sua Banda
Mr. Maya Cool, is a producer, musician and an Angolan singer. He resides in Angola (Luanda), after he spent most of his time career in Portugal (Lisbon). He has been singing for more than 18 years. Maya Cool has four original albums in the market, which two of them achieved gold and one silver. His first album was created in Portugal (Lisbon) in 1997 were he lived for more than 16 years.
Maya Cool worked with different artist from African, and European such as Mrs. Fadista and Mrs. Marisa. He’s last album was entitled Amores which means Loving. It was recorded in various part of the globe, such as Angola, Portugal, UK, France and Cuba. He is one of the biggest names of Angolan music. Maya Cool represents his county with his music around the world for many years. He was in places like China (Macau), Brazil, Italy, UK, USA, Netherlands, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Mozambique.Maya Cool is a big image of Angola culture, he being carrying out his music for so many years. He had found, helped many new talents, and work through they success. Maya Cool with 32 years old now he is a big part of the African music, he found his way to express love in the peoples lives.

BIAFRO
BiAFRO is a group formed in the year 1996 in the city of Sopot Poland by two very experienced musicians who have been working together for the past 18 years.
LARRY OKEY UGWU: Country of origin Nigeria. One of the most experienced underground musicians in the northern part of Poland. Ex-member of such groups as Polish Ham, International Roots Reggae Band, Sun's Vibration. Larry has taken part in a lot of music projects in the country, co-operating with such musicians as; Tymon Tymański, Andrzej Smolik, Leszek Możdżer, Leszcze, Przemek Dyakowski, Wojtek Staroniewicz, Michał and Jan Erszkowski, Mikołaj Trzaska, Robert Usewicz and many others. Larry is also the founder of the group Ikenga Drummers and the creator of Elelekulele music.
He is also an actor of the Music Theatre in Gdynia.
JACEK STANISZEWSKI: With a PhD in fine arts, Jackson as he is usually called by his friends, is presently a lecturer at the graphic department of the Fine Arts Academy in Gdansk.
Ex-member of such groups like; The Plemniors, Galago Band, International Roots Reggae Band, Sun's Vibration. A very fine musician, that has succeeded in creating and defending a style of his own. Jack is the founder of one of the most radical music formations in the northern part of Poland, Chlupot Mózgu. He enjoys siting at his computer and composing his music.
Other members of the group are:
Sir PRZEMEK DYAKOWSKI, the spiritual father of the group, a mentor and source of inspiration to all members of the group. Przemek is a legend in the Polish jazz family. The founder of the popular Sax Club in Gdynia, Dyakowski has played an important role in building the carrier of many successful musicians in this part of Poland. In short, a living legend.
Among BIAFRO members there are also TOMASZ SZYMBORSKI and FILIP GAłˇZKA.
The band plays experimental music that is a blend of Roots Reggae, Afro-rock, Funky Trans and Voo Doo vibes. The group has performed in lots of prestigious music festivals in Poland and abroad. Their live shows are an explosion of energy coupled with a combination of theatrical power and musical guts. The frontman Larry is a power house whose charismatic approach to the audience makes the spectators feel like in heaven.

The GlennSKii’s
The GlenSKii’s is the first, both chronologically and artistically, American on the Polish music scene. He is widely known as the leader of Groovekojad and the ex-frontman of Blenders; his fans, however, know him rather as MC or a resident DJ at the legendary Sfinks club in Sopot. The GlennSKii’s music is quite easy to classify: the American raps, skates, sings in Polish, English, in the Skat, Freestyle and even in Kashubian language. His style is funky with loads of break-beat, big-beat, electronics, "audiophilia", "leftfield" and nu-jazz.

IMPACTO
The band has been playing since 1989. It’s the very first hip hop group in Cuba. For three years the main stream in their music has been latin pop music REGUETON. The band plays a very original mix of hip hop, salsa, marengue and hot Caribbean rhythms. The repertoire is very diversified: from rap compositions to latin ballads. IMPACTO is not all about music, song and rap – all members of the group also dance. In 2006 the band achieved enormous success: it was nominated in 8 categories and received 3 awards at the biggest and the most important festival in Cuba - LUCAS FESTIVAL 2006. Promoting their newest record, IMPACTO currently gives concerts in Poland.

30 September, Sunday

• Music & Theatre Night - St. John's Church in Gdańsk, tickets: 10/15 PLN
  • 7.00 p.m. Legitymacje (Poland)
  • 8.00 p.m. Queendom (Etiopia/Uganda/Trinidad/Gambia/Norway)

LEGITYMACJE
Over twenty instruments on stage: an empty cucumber barrel next to Japanese electronics, electric guitar next to digeridoo, fisharmony next to rapatajka (a plastic corrugated pipe), Cezary Studniak next to Samor Dudziński and Sambor Dudziński next to Konrad Imiela. They say: “The force of Legitymacje lies in the meeting of three people with a ready concert structure. Depending on the atmosphere, however, and the audience’s reactions our spectacle turns into quite different theatrical and concert directions. Self-evident fragments of music are followed by cabaret pieces – perhaps unconventional and yet hilarious; after such amusing presentation we grab instruments and, totally immersed in music, play for the next ten minutes according to our sense of taste. We play acid jazz, cool jazz and even country music; there is one disco polo piece a well. The context in which we perform is quite important: our attitude to a given song shows itself through the interpretation. We perform our original compositions and compose new arrangements of well-known pieces.
Band members: Cezary Studniak, Sambor Dudziński, Konrad Imiela

Queendom
Queendom draws on the talent and experience of five black women with backgrounds from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, Trinidad and Gambia. The group was established in 1999 and is unique in that it represents the first time young, black women have set up their own theatre group in Norway. All the members of the group are professional theatre artists.
Queendom aims to raise the profile of black women in Norway by creating both socially aware and entertaining performances. Our shows touch on themes relevant to our everyday lives in Norway, such as racism and womens issues. While most of our material is original we also present a selection of texts and music written by other black artists. Through humour, satire, poetry and song, we wish to raise the level of awareness and understanding black and white Norwegians have for each other.

• 16:00 Workshop Final Presentation – Afra Crudo (France); Baltic Sea Cultural Centre; admission free

Accompanying events:

Dance workshops, registration: tel. 058 326 11 or 509 473 502, email: aleksandra.halicka @ nck.org.pl

27-29 September Irish Dance Workshop – Rachel Kelly Dance School (Ireland)
Pałac Młodzieży in Gdańsk, ul. Ogarna 56
Admission free

27-30 September African Dance Workshop
Baltic Sea Cultural Centre in Gdansk, ul. Korzenna 33/35
Admission 100 PLN (in total)
The project is supported by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
 

Afra Crudo
Born in Milan, Afra Crudo is a dancer, choreographer and afro dance teacher. She began her dance education at the age of 8 in a private school in Milan. In years 1990-1994, tutored by the famous Pina Baush, she studied the intricacies of modern dance in Folkwang Hochschule in Essen (Germany). In 1996 she moved to Paris where she’s lived ever since. She was an afro dance student of Georges M’omboye and in 1999, together with African artists, she started the “Naffissa” Dance Theatre. Crudo also spent some time in Mali, where she worked with dancers from the Ballet National du Mali and was taught by Bintufune Diabate. In 1997 she was asked to conduct workshops in the Grotowski Institute in Wroclaw. Since then she has often visited Poland to lead training sessions as well as perform spectacles and concerts. She gained much acclaim thanks to the afro-dance workshops given during the Contemporary Dance Biennale in Poznań in the Ewa Wycichowska’s Polish Dance Theatre. Close to rituals, her dance spectacles typically involve processes of transformation and moments of transgression; her theatre draws much inspiration from fascinating primal roots. For many years Afra Crudo’s training sessions and spectacles have been accompanied by Ladji Diawara, a Djembje master from Mali.