European Folk Network Conference 13 & 14 November 2026

Our 2026 Keynote speaker, the renowned traditional musician and educator from the North East of England Alistair Anderson, will open the conference with reflections on the Values that traditional arts uphold – and why they are important. Following that, a panel of similarly experienced experts - including the German author and Rudolstadt festival organiser Bernhard Hanneken and Miklos Both, director of the Hungarian Heritage House in Budapest – will consider how the traditional arts and their values can be safeguarded against appropriation by political and nationalist extremism.
Education in the traditional arts – and the different ways it can be organised and effective - is another key topic . Panel and discussion sessions on education will feature three highly experienced European specialists: the Head of the Folk Music Department of Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Vilma Timonen; the director of Feis Rois in the Scottish Highlands, Fiona Dalgetty; and the educator, author and director of Muziekmozaiek in Flanders, Filip Verneert.
Other topics in the conference programme will include ‘Cross Pollination’: how is traditional music mixing with other genres (such as jazz or classical music) – and does it work? Plus the conference’s unique ‘Open Mic’ sessions, in which any delegate can take the opportunity to make a short pitch about any subject they choose.
The 2026 programme will also give members and other delegates plenty of discussion and planning time in which practical working groups will be formed, to take action on topics of interest during the following year.
And, of course, there will be performances to enjoy each day of the conference organised by our host Clasijazz. There will be examples of Almerian folk music and of cross-pollination of flamenco and jazz - and maybe a surprise of folk music from another country.

Info: Friday's programme includes the Keynote from Alistair Anderson; (England) 'Protecting tradition from extremism' panel with Bernhard Hanneken (Germany) and Miklos Both (Hungary); 'Cross-pollination with other genres' panel with Mike Fletcher (Spain); plus Open Mic for anyone to speak; and discussion groups. The evening will have a variety of music performances presented by Clasijazz.

Info: Saturday's programme includes: 'Education in traditional arts' panel with Vilma Timonen (Finland), Filip Verneet (Belgium) and Fiona Dalgetty (Scotland); plus other speakers, Working Groups and Open Mic for everyone. In the evening there will be a variety of music performances presented by Clasijazz.

Event venue & nearby stays

Clasijazz, C. Maestro Serrano, 9, Almería, Spain

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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