The 23rd edition of Etnofest will take place on 19 and 20 June 2026 in Palić, continuing the tradition of one of Serbia’s most significant world music festivals. This year's programme features five concerts by artists from Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, and Russia, as well as an accompanying exhibition inspired by Latin American rhythms.
The festival will open on Friday, 19 June, with Croatian multi-instrumentalist Vuk (Domagoj Vuković), whose newly released album Rod explores Slavic mythology through a fusion of throat singing, Nordic folk influences, and traditional instruments. His performance, described as a kind of neo-ritual festival opening, will begin at 8:30 PM at the Hungarian Cultural Centre in Palić.
Later that evening, audiences will experience a performance by the Belgrade-based band Vartra, taking the stage at 9:45 PM with their distinctive blend of dark folk, ethnic fusion, and post-metal. Their music draws upon Balkan incantations, ritual instruments, and atmospheric stage performances inspired by ancient traditions and cultures from around the world.
Saturday's programme begins with Istók, performing in the garden of a traditional farmstead in Bohinjska Street, Palić. The ensemble presents a repertoire rooted in a broad pan-Slavic musical heritage, ranging from imaginative Russian melodies and Bulgarian rhythms to Polish dances and Serbian songs.
The evening continues with BudaPesme, a Hungarian acoustic duo consisting of singer Veronika Varga and accordionist Benedek Réti. Their interpretations of Macedonian, Serbian, Bosnian, and Greek songs are characterized by an intimate and authentic approach to Balkan musical traditions.
The festival will conclude with a concert by one of the most distinguished figures of the Croatian ethno scene, Dunja Knebl, who will perform alongside Roko Margeta and Kruno Carić, presenting selections from her extensive body of work dedicated to researching and reinterpreting forgotten traditional songs. Over more than three decades of artistic activity, Dunja Knebl has released more than 25 albums and established herself as one of the leading ambassadors of traditional music in the region.
The festival's accompanying programme includes “Los Kumbijanos,” an exhibition of drawings by Igor Lazin, inspired by cumbia rhythms, comic book aesthetics, punk posters, and folklore motifs. The exhibition serves as a visual evocation of a sound that, as the organisers suggest, has been awaited at Etnofest for many years.
Founded in 2004, Etnofest has, over the past twenty-three years, hosted numerous acclaimed artists from the regional and international world music scene, establishing itself as one of the few festivals in Serbia consistently dedicated to a professional and authentic approach to music from around the globe. This year's edition takes place at the Hungarian Cultural Centre in Palić and several open-air locations, with free admission and a recommended voluntary contribution of 500 RSD per festival evening.
The organisers invite audiences to support the festival and join another musical journey through diverse traditions, languages, and cultural landscapes, stretching from the Balkans to Northern Europe and the distant shores of Latin America.
