With the support and sponsorship by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the Embassy of Albania in Brussels

From 14 to 17 April 2016, BOZAR, the Center for Fine Arts in Brussels hosted for the tenth time in succession the International Cultural Festival ‘Balkan Trafik’. For three consecutive days, not only the interior and exterior premises there, but also Grand Place and other squares echoed the best values, songs, dances, music and culture of the Southeastern European and other countries.

At this jubilee edition, thanks to the support and sponsorship from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Albania in cooperation with its Embassy in Brussels and the hosts of the festival, Albania was represented with its prominent singer and performer Vikena Kamenica & ‘Keli Band’ and the well-known folk group ‘Ali Pasha’.

Present at this major cultural event were also the Albanian folk Ensemble  ‘VATRA’ and some other Albanian bands and musicians from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and the diaspora in Belgium.

Another prominent musical band was ‘Zig Zag’ band and Dren Abazi from Kosovo.

Apart from the official Concert on 16 April at BOZAR, the Albanian artists were the ‘Special Guests’ and gave a magnificent performance at the most characteristic square Grand Place on 17 April  and in other venues, together with the artistic group of  ‘VATRA’ Cultural Association in Brussels.

This festival was closed on Sunday 17 April, with a large festive cultural rally (Giant Horo) with the participation of some special selected bands at the presence of various political celebrities from Belgium, Brussels and the EU. On this occasion, Ms. Suela Janina, Ambassador of Albania in Belgium and Head of the Mission to the EU greeted warmly all the participants.

Vikena Kamenica & Keli Band and Ali Pasha, together with the young artists of ‘Vatra’, rocked Grand Place with their wonderful musical pieces, accompanied with dances by citizens present, turning the ‘Giant Horo’ into a great festive event.

Likewise, in the margins of this festival, thanks to the support by the Albanian National Tourist Agency and the Embassy, a tourist stand was opened at BOZAR with a large number of tourist guides and folders on the developments and huge opportunities of tourism in Albania and in Kosovo.

Just as last year, the members of the active student association ‘VLERA’ rendered their valuable and recognized contribution. Our fellow citizens and other foreign friends and well - wishers became part of this remarkable cultural and artistic manifestation.

For more info on this festival, please click on www.balkantrafik.be as well as in the website of the Embassy of Albania .