The International Association of Music Information Centres (IAMIC) held its annual gathering this year in Vienna, from November 19 to 22, 2024. Marija Vitas was among the attendees at the IAMIC 2024 Conference, representing the Music Information Centre of Serbia (MICS), which has been a member of IAMIC since 2023.
. . .
This was the second time that MICS representatives took part in the IAMIC gathering. Last year, Maša Vukanović, a project manager and member of our Centre, attended the event in Latvia, which took place from September 14 to 17, 2023.
Each IAMIC annual gathering is centered around a conference, with a specific theme shaping the discussions. This year’s focus was “Sustainability”, explored through a diverse program of presentations, panel discussions, “World Café” sessions, and hands-on workshops. Several interrelated topics took center stage, including mental health, cultural accessibility for people with disabilities, activism aimed at transforming artistic practices, music mediation as a driver of social change, artistic participation and social engagement, green mobility and green festivals, among others.
In addition to these key themes, presentations from representatives of various music information centers provided valuable insights into a range of fascinating projects. We learned about Slovakia’s comprehensive national music database, support structures for American composers in building sustainable careers, the radio documentary series “We Only Want The Earth” produced by Ireland’s RTÉ Lyric FM, as well as several EU-funded cultural initiatives.
Alongside IAMIC members, the conference also welcomed several guest experts, enriching the discussions with their perspectives.
The conference sessions took place across three venues: the offices of Music Austria, the social arts space Brunnenpassage, and the grand Vienna Konzerthaus. The central event of the gathering, however, was the IAMIC General Assembly, held at the Kulturzentrum 7*Stern. Various issues were discussed, and, most notably, it was officially announced that the next IAMIC gathering will take place in Belgrade, organized by our very own Music Information Centre of Serbia.
As is common with professional gatherings today, IAMIC’s annual meetings are not only about discussions and presentations but also about bringing people together and fostering meaningful connections. This year’s event – IAMIC 2024 – in Vienna was no exception, offering a mix of artistic experiences and informal networking opportunities. The organizing team (Music Austria, with IAMIC’s support) arranged for delegates to attend part of the prestigious “Wien Modern” festival, a major celebration of contemporary music. Concerts were held at iconic venues such as the Vienna Konzerthaus and the Musikverein Wien.
Another highlight was a guided tour of the Arnold Schönberg Center, where a musicologist and curator introduced us to fascinating details about the life and work of the legendary 20th-century Austrian composer.
While informal chats and spontaneous interactions naturally filled the breaks between scheduled events, a special moment was set aside for a proper farewell gathering on the evening of November 22. Hosted at the Music Austria offices, this relaxed get-together featured drinks brought by delegates from their respective countries. From Serbia, I brought along a bottle of our famous “šljivovica”, which – unsurprisingly – was very well received!
Later that night, as delegates gradually said their goodbyes and the event came to an end, I was already organizing my thoughts and processing the many fresh impressions. But my mind was also turning toward the exciting challenge ahead – because next year, it will be our turn to host IAMIC’s annual gathering, in Belgrade, from September 23 to 26, 2025. And that is something to truly look forward to!
Marija Vitas
Links:
