The Ethna International Festival took place on July 13 in the Hermitage Garden in Moscow and was packed with crowds of people who love the ethnic and traditional music of different countries. The festival lived up to its self-proclaimed "internationalism," with musicians from France, Russia, Serbia, Mongolia and, even from Senegal.
The audience also consisted of people of different nationalities, ages and social backgrounds and lifestyles. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the festival was the civilized behavior of the public as there were no shrieking girls or drunken teens causing trouble or bawling their favorite songs.
Indeed, it would have been difficult to bawl them as the texts of the songs were in foreign languages or the music was simply instrumental. Playing their unusual music, the performers sent the audience in a trance: It was a magical feeling.
The festival was opened by Stepanida Borisova from Yakutia, Russia, and Pavel Fite from the Czech Republic. This hybridization of two Slavic cultures led to something totally new, a brilliant music that combined Borisova’s shaman singing and Fite’s drumming on his kit which included several homemade electronic instruments.
However, the duo of Russia’s Vladimir Volkov and Senegal’s Mole Silla made the strongest impression on the appreciative audience, who wouldn’t let them go, asking for more and more songs. Silla sang in his enchanting voice, while Volkov played an upright bass in a totally new musical style, combining ethnic music with jazz.
Another combination played by Volkov, Silla and Sergei Starostin was a very exciting part of the festival. Starostin sang a Russian shepherd song alone and later two songs with the duo,.
By all indications, the festival of national cultures is a worthy alternative to commercial music. Indeed, the only thing that reminded people about the world of commerce at the festival was the lottery organized by the festival sponsor Chesterfield’s, and the sale of souvenirs from different countries at high prices, targeting mostly tourists.
Ethna turned out to be one of last weekend’s best events in Moscow. And, if you were not there last Sunday, July 13, then my advice is that you put it down on your calendar for next year. Don’t miss your chance again.