EFN Newsletter September 2025 #34
- EFN editor
- Sep 17
- 9 min read
Tell us something: aren’t you following us on social media yet? You’re missing out on a lot! We’re very active on Facebook and Instagram. For example, take a look now and get to know more about the panelists who will be taking part in the Annual Conference panels. So without further ado, enjoy the read. |
WELCOME AND SUMMARY
Welcome to the new edition of this communication and outreach initiative of the EFN. Feel free to forward it to your friends and colleagues. Receiving this newsletter is open to anyone for free, here. Read to the end to find out how to submit content for future editions.
This is what you'll find below:
🔹News from EFN:
▫️Update: European Folk Day
▫️Update: Annual EFN Conference
🔸New member: the EFN welcomes Festivals Malta
🔹News from the members:
▫️ Mil Mundos (A Thousand Worlds) begins its forth season on Radio Clásica (National Radio of Spain): an invitation
🔸Our next featured member is Tempi
🔹Our next featured artist is the Greek clarinetist Petroloukas Halkias
✍️ Do you want to participate? At the end of the newsletter you will find how you can contribute to future editions, whether you are an EFN member or not.
And of course EFN is always looking for new members and at the end of this newsletter there is a note about how and why to join, with links to the membership pages of the website and the application form.
Thanks for your attention, have a fruitful reading and, please, forward this to any person who could be interested! |
News from EFN |
🔸UPDATE: European Folk Day 2025, September 23rd
On September 23 we will celebrate the European Folk Day for the third time. One week before the date, there are already 101 events registered on the website. We know that some have not yet been registered but are already being announced on social media, so we expect the final count to be even higher.
We are already very excited about the reception of this initiative. Once again, we have gone beyond Europe’s borders, with events in the USA (Wichita and Boston) and in East Alego (Uganda).
The scale of the list of events goes beyond what we can report here, so we invite you to check the website, where you can find on the map what will happen at each marked point. Music and dance workshops, balfolk sessions, concerts, and thematic radio programs have already been registered.
You are still on time to register your event!
How will you celebrate the European Folk Day?
🔸UPDATE: 2025 EFN Conference - the program is announced!
The 6th annual European Folk Network Conference will take place on 10 & 11 October 2025 hosted by the Fira Mediterránia de Manresa. The Fira has already announced its programme — check it out here. And so have we!
Speakers include Turkish festival producer and broadcaster Kutay Kugay, Tunisian percussionist & festival director Imed Alibi, Belgium’s Peter van Rompaey (Muziekpublique), and Laia Canals from Tempi (Denmark). Moderated by Araceli Tzigane.
The programme includes a panel focussing on Balkan traditions: Rok Kosir (MOST Music agency), Bojan Djordjevic (Ring Ring, Serbia), and Bogdan Benigar (Druga Godba, Slovenia) will explore the vibrant contemporary Balkan folk scene. Moderated by Daina Zalāne.
There will be a session on minority languages and cultures with contributions from Iranian expert Mehdi Aminian, language expert Ioana Aminian (Roots Revival), and Danny KilBride from Wales (TRAC Cymru).
There will be breakout group discussions for delegates on topics like traditional dance, led by the Norwegian Centre for Traditional Music and Dance and their Horizon project, plus sessions on festivals, education, diversity & inclusion, and future priorities for EFN.
JMI’s Suchet Malhotra will give a presentation on the world-renowned multicultural Ethno movement and its impact on young people.
And in the Open Mic slot delegates will hear from a range of speakers about their own ideas and organisations.
Additional social and networking events: international lunches at the Kursall Theatre, a wine reception by D.O. Pla de Bages, plus access to the many roots music and dance showcases of Fira Mediterrània.
EFN WELCOMES A NEW MEMBER
By EFN editors
In this summertime of the last weeks, we have welcomed a new member:
🔹Festivals Malta, from... Malta!
It's a pleasure to welcome this organization This is how they introduced themselves in their membership form:
"Festivals Malta, established in 2017, is the national agency dedicated to nurturing festivals and cultural events across Malta and Gozo. Overseeing 11 festivals and 5 national events with more than 160 activities annually, including one celebrating traditional folk music Għana, it champions creativity, education, and participation while preserving traditions and promoting Malta as a vibrant cultural destination."
Theit answer to "what you and/or your organisation think you can give to the European Folk Network as a member and what you think will be the benefits of membership?" is:
"As members of the European Folk Network, we bring insights from Malta's unique heritage, especially in safeguarding and promoting Għana. Membership will enhance collaborations, share best practices, and raise visibility for Maltese traditions while fostering cross-cultural dialogue and artistic opportunities across Europe."
Learn more about them on their website.
News from our members
🔹Mil Mundos (A Thousand Worlds) begins its forth season on Radio Clásica (National Radio of Spain): an invitation
By Araceli Tzigane
Juan Antonio Vázquez returns to Radio Clásica on 29th of September, with the radio show Mil Mundos, dedicated to the music that arises from the traditions of the world. The focus is mainly acoustic. He sent us a special invitation to the members of the EFN and the readers of our newsletter:
"The thousand worlds of Mil Mundos are not a thousand: they are countless. Mil Mundos is neither a program with purely ethnomusicological intentions nor a typical world music show, as our aim is to combine the enjoyment of listening with the discovery and learning about instruments and musical forms, as well as the encounters between musicians of different origins and orientations, always in search of excellence in artistic expression. I invite you to listen to past and future editions here, follow me on social media, and contact me at milmundos@rtve.es if you’d like to send any suggestions. Also, check out the sister program, Mil Mundos en Radio 5."
Featured Member: Tempi
The Danish organization Tempi joined the EFN as a founder member in October 2019. At that time, its director was Torben Eik Jacobsen. Tempi's current director (since 2022) is Laia Canals, who is a member of the EFN GA/Strategy Group.
When Tempi joined EFN, they explained that: "Tempi’s primary objective is to promote folk, world and related music genres in Denmark and at the same time to promote Danish folk, world and related genres internationally . To achieve this we initiate, develop and take part in a variety of different projects and collaborations. We organize trade missions and also offer practical and strategic support, advice and guidance for Danish bands and artists looking to export their music and live shows."
About the question on what a member can give to the European Folk Network, the answer was: "We are connected to most of the Danish folk scene and have an overview of what’s going on in the area. We believe that a stronger pan European infrastructure and stronger networks within the European folk network will benefit the music substantially. For that reason this network fit very well with our mindset and purpose."
Learn more about Tempi on their website.
Featured Artist: Petroloukas Halkias
By Araceli Tzigane
Petroloukas Halkias died on June 15th, 2025. He was a star in Greece. It seems paradoxical that the news reached me from the United States rather than from Greece. But further down we will understand why. I only learned about him after the album The Soul of Epirus (2019), recorded with the younger laouto master and Berklee College of Music graduate Vasilis Kostas. Publicist Cindy Byram worked on promoting the album for its presentation concerts in several U.S. cities, and her communication reached Mundofonías’ inbox.
In 2015, Halkias traveled to the U.S. for a concert and Kostas performed with him for the first time. Already then, the idea of making that album had arisen in Halkias’s mind. That first joint album would be recorded in Athens and released in 2019.
The previous albums by Halkias had no international focus; they were Greek productions conceived for the local market. So this album made Halkias transcend the borders of the Greek-speaking communities. And they would release a second one in 2023.
A few days ago, the Greek accordionist Thanos Stavridis and his colleagues of Drom explained to me that Petroloukas Halkias was booked by Greek expats to perform at wedding celebrations in Greece and that he was very well paid. Those who had settled abroad and achieved economic success would celebrate their weddings in their homeland, and they wanted to have the master of the Epirot clarinet.Also, he bought T’ Aidonia, a dance hall around Karaiskaki Square in Athens, at some point in the late 1970s when he returned from emigrating in the U.S. He renamed it Halkias Palace and often performed there. It is still open and managed by his son Giannis. This is its Instagram profile.
But who was Petroloukas Halkias? You can easily find a biography of him, especially in obituaries in the Greek press. Here is a particularly beautiful one. I will highlight some facts hereHe was the son, grandson, and nephew of musicians. His figure is inseparable from that of his father, Pericles Halkias. About Pericles, there is a film by John Cohen: Pericles in America (1988). He was born on June 24, 1913, in the Pogoni region of Epirus in northern Greece. He began performing as a preteen. The story of Pericles is briefly told by Canary Records here. I take the chance to mention the incredible work of Canary Records in recovering and releasing recordings of this kind.
This piece is Kleftes Veltsistinoi and it is included in The Soul of Epirus, Vol. II, the second release signed by Petroloukas Halkias and Vasilis Kostas (laouto). The voice that makes you melt belongs to Kostas Tzimas, another phenomenon of Epirotic music.
This is an epic song. The kleftes were rebel and bandit groups (kind of Robin Hoods) who resisted Ottoman rule between the 17th and 19th centuries. The term Veltsistinoi refers to Veltsista, a village in the Epirus region, near Ioannina. These songs often recounted the bravery, struggles, and sacrifices of the kleftes, passed down orally as both historical memory and a source of communal pride. If you are interested you can also listen to an older rendition of the piece, by two relatives of our protagonists, here.
Pericles’s son, Petros (aka Petroloukas or Petro Loukas), was born in the village of Delviinaki on July 27, 1934. According Canary Records: “Just as his own parents had discouraged him, Pericles discouraged Petros from a life playing music, but Petros learned clarinet anyway and became a widely recorded and celebrated icon of Epirotic music himself.”
Pericles moved to New York in 1963. His son, Petroloukas, had already emigrated there in 1960. He returned to Greece in 1979. But Pericles never returned and passed away there in 2005.
When Petroloukas emigrated, there was a large Greek—especially Epirot—community in cities like New York and Chicago, and there was a strong demand for clarinetists for weddings and celebrations. His departure fits within the tradition of many Epirot musicians who emigrated in search of better economic opportunities and an audience that valued their music. In the mentioned film, Pericles recalls his old days of poverty and talks about how in New York he used to perform at the Istanbul club, alongside top Turkish clarinetists. His life there was not one of poverty. His son did return to Greece and, as I said above, achieved a very strong economic position thanks to his art.
I love that his story ended well. Petroloukas died at 90, recognized by the public and the institutions. The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, said upon his death: “His loss is not merely the loss of a great musician, but of a faithful guardian of our musical heritage and cultural identity. He leaves behind an irreplaceable void in traditional music and in the heart of Epirus.”
I have been told that his grandson, Petros Halkias, continues Petroloukas’s legacy. I wish all the best for Petros.
I’ve spent a while thinking about which other video to choose. There are many, from TV programs, from the Philharmonie de Paris, and other prestigious stages. I invite you to look them up. But I’ve chosen to share this one with you. It’s a totally homemade video that seems to have been shot with a phone, but I think it captures the atmosphere of a village celebration with the music of Petroloukas Halkias.
You will live in our hearts
Sources:
Canary Records's release of recordings of Pericles Halkias
Facebook post of MANASIS School of Greek Dance and Culture
Klepthic ballad in Brittanica
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Are you already a member? Then, remember that you can submit contents for this monthly newsletter. Email your content to efneditors@gmail.com, for these sections:
· News from EFN Members. Brief announcements – of around 100 words and a link.
· Featured artist. - A profile with around 200 words, an embedded video and one link. Members are invited to submit profiles, considering solo and ensemble living or not living artists who have achieved lifelong artistic and technical quality or historical significance in the field of folk art from or developed in or settled in Europe. If you have any artists in mind that you'd like to feature, please ask in advance, just to be sure there is no other member already doing it.
And whether you are a member or not, you can participate in this section:
· Special sections. For instance, an interview with someone from an institution that is not a member or a thematic article by a guest writer or anything that can appear and be considered as interesting. This section can also host guest writers that are not members.
If you'd like to share any content, contact us in advance to schedule it by emailing efneditors@gmail.com
Of course, self promotional articles lacking interest won't be accepted. In case of doubt, the EFN board will be consulted and will decide.
Pericles and his son Petroloukas represent the strength and resilience of those who follow their passions across borders. From performing in New York’s vibrant Greek community to returning home as a celebrated artist, Petroloukas’ life was a testament to dedication and perseverance. His music preserved the cultural soul of Epirus and inspired generations. Stories like his remind us that mastery, whether in art or skill, comes from commitment and discipline. The same dedication is reflected in concealed carry training Mechanicsville VA, where focus and respect for one’s craft lead to true confidence and excellence.