WOMEX goes virtual this month

The 26th edition is poised for a high turnout after the organisers announced a virtual programme from 21 to 25 October to allow delegates around the world to participate from the comfort of their homes. The event was initially planned to take place in Budapest, Hungary, but the organisers cancelled the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This October, the WOMEX team alongside Hungarian partner Hangveto, will offer five days of conference sessions, presentations, network meetings, performances, film screenings, interviews and talks. Some of these activities will be happening on location in Budapest, the extent of which will be determined by the COVID-19 regulations at the time of the event. 

"The digital hemisphere indeed has some advantages: people who can't travel for whatever reason can now join and participate as delegates, and the same applies, for instance, to certain parts of the programme," WOMEX director Alexander Walter told Music In Africa.

"It certainly is easier to bring together an online panel with speakers from all corners of the word than in a physical space. Visas, borders, travel restrictions and budgets are no longer relevant for participation – and that is what makes a digital edition so exciting."

The WOMEX showcases will feature performances by musicians from around the world as well as some personal insight into the acts through Q&A sessions. Representing Africa are Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy (Ghana), Djazia Satour (Algeria/France), Fanfara Station (Tunisia /US/Italy), FOKN Bois (Ghana/Romania/Hungary/UK), Fulu Miziki (DRC/Uganda), Madalitso Band (Malawi), Ti'kaniki (Reunion/France) and Urban Village (South Africa).

Elsewhere, the WOMEX Club Summit will showcase club sounds and electronic music from across the world. Participating groups from Africa include Guedra Guedra (Morocco), MC Yallah & Debmaster (Uganda/Germany) and Studio Bros (São Tomé and Príncipe/Portugal).

The WOMEX conference, meanwhile, will address the global music scene's most pressing topics, with many discussions covering the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. There is already a list of panels and presentations available for attendees, with additional panels and speakers set to be announced in the run-up to the event.

British folk singer and traditional music specialist Sam Lee will sit on the No Music on a Dead Planet panel, which will expound on what the music industry can do to help reverse climate change. Lee believes that musicians can help bring more focus to the global catastrophe. "Musicians and the activities we make have an evident impact through the emissions we produce within our activity like any other industry," he said. "However, the positive link is that music has a direct and indirect ability to educate and inform audiences about the impact of the climate crisis and tell stories of how our lives will be affected."

A total of 21 international films will be streamed from 15 to 25 October as part WOMEX's film programme. African films to look out for include Berlin Bamako All Stars (2020), Birth of Afrobeat (2019), Contradict (2020), Taxi Waves (2019) and Kinshasa Beta Mbonda (2019).

Meanwhile, Hungarian artist Monika Lakatos is the recipient of the WOMEX 2020 Artist Award for her long-term dedication, faith and commitment to the Roma culture and community. The award recognises artists who embody artistic distinction, dynamism and creativity by using music as a medium of positive change. Previous recipients from Africa include the late Bi Kidude (Tanzania), Staff Benda Bilili (DRC), the late Hugh Masekela (South Africa), the Mahotella Queens (South Africa), Cheikh Lô (Burkina Faso) and Oumou Sangaré (Mali).

Additionally, the Professional Excellence Award has been awarded to French organisation L’Atelier des Artistes en Exil for its advocacy and commitment to defending the rights of artists in exile. The award is given out to an individual, group or organisation that has achieved musical excellence, cultural significance, advocacy and activism, lifetime achievement and commercial success without compromise.

On receiving the award, L’Atelier des Artistes en Exil director Judith Depaule said: "It is important for L’Atelier des Artistes en Exil to gain recognition beyond French borders, especially for exiled artists who suffer mobility problems. The WOMEX 2020 award will benefit the members of L’Atelier des Artistes en Exil in their restructuring by offering them new professionals opportunities.”

Registration for the virtual event is ongoing.