The 50th FESTIVAL “DAYS OF MOKRANJAC”

The 50th FESTIVAL “DAYS OF MOKRANJAC”
From 11th till 16th of September 2015.

Concept and programme

Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia and Negotin,hometown of one of the greatest Serbian composers and conductors Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac, have been organizing the festival “Days of Mokranjac” for fifty years.Today, “Days of Mokranjac” are among the oldest festivals in Serbia, not just as chorus festival, but as a general review of Serbian music scene, its development, movement and reliance to the sources of music tradition which were written down by Mokranjac.

“Days of Mokranjac” festival is in honor of our great composer`s name and work.It is also a link to the future, a reminder of the roots of Serbian spirit, a source from which we draw the dignity of Serbian people in the cultural and musical sense. In that way we preserve history, tradition and cognizance in Europe and in the world.

The 50th festival is a motiv to celebrate anniversary and it is supported by our state and the town of Negotin.It deserves a special attention and a stride in the concept of the programme towards the audience.

During his days, Mokranjac was Cultural Ambassador of Serbia. He performed in many towns across Europe and Balkan.By performing with “The First Singing Society” in homeland and abroad, he spread folklore, pirit and roots of Serbian folk – based art. His music was warmly accepted all over Serbia and beyond its frontiers-Thessaloniki, Skopje, Budapest, Plovdiv, Konstantinople, Petrograd, Moscow, Kiev, Berlin, Dresden, Laipcig, Sarajevo, Mostar, Cetinje, Split, Trieste, Rijeka, Zagreb, Dubrovnik…

The concept of the 50th festival anniversary presents the idea to honor our great composer by inviting all performers and ensembles with their programmes from places where Mokranjac performed with his “First Singing Society”.

Every participant will perform some of Mokranjac`s musical pieces within its programme.In that way, his work will be incorporated into their repertoire,presenting Serbian music and Mokranjac all around the world just like he did it during his days. Every programme will be related to his work and personal life and the places where his music made influence.

Festival selector- dr.Branka Radovic musicologist

Programme commission:
Darinka Matic Marovic – principal conductor
Academic Dejan Despic – composer
Maja Vasic – musicologist
M.M Aleksandra Paladin – musicologist
Dragana Knezevic – managing director of Cultural centre “Stevan Mokranjac” in Negotin