Seeking to reflect on the specificity of contemporary folklore, the curators of the Symposium have invited Lithuanian post-industrial electric folk music projects by Audrius Šimkūnas („Sala“) and Vytenis Eitminavičius („Skeldos“) as well as the member of the Polish experimental folk-inspired band „Księżyc“ Robert Niziński with whom another Polish musician Paweł Romańczuk was preparing for their mutual performance.

Through their indolent and lyrical drone/ambient  soundscapes „Skeldos“ conveys a specific Lithuanian melancholy and the voice of a scenery that is sensed in a very delicate and sentient way. „Sala“, of a bit sharper and more electrified ambience, in their musical experiments present crude and unpolished sounds, as if nature itself or its elements torn out of their abode flutter in the listener‘s ears. Although in the music of both projects a direct 'quoting' of motifs from folk songs and instrumental melodies is avoided, an 'archaic' atmosphere is created through myth-like lyrical imagery, dark and often melancholic sonic textures, and a strong commitment to the local natural as well as urban environment.

„Księżyc“ (Eng. Moon), formed in 1990s, is a blend of medieval sounds and contemporary experiments rooted in Slavic musical tradition. Their song lyrics inspired by surrealist fairytales fills their music with ordinary beauty, sadness and madness. It is told that the sound, which does not lose its relevance for almost three decades, is enchanted by the moon itself.

More on this year's Symposium