WOMEX 2017 in Katowice – record edition of the fairs for the first time in Poland!
On Sunday 29th October Katowice bid farewell to the world's largest World Music Fair.
For the 5 days, international audience from more than 90 countries celebrated the feast of world music in the building of the International Congress Center, the building of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Spodek, in the heart of the city – Culture Zone.
The 23rd edition of WOMEX was held for the first time in the Polish city. The organizers conclude that this was an edition in many respects unique – 300 trade fair stands represented by 700 exhibitors, 2600 delegates involved in the music industry – record number of participants positioning the Katowice edition of the event as the largest fair in the history of WOMEX. The festival also featured some 7 scenes (Twin Stage A and B, off WOMEX, Dj Summit, Stage Stage, KatoConnections Stage, Daycase Stage) performed 303 artists during 60 concerts. The Polish edition has confirmed that WOMEX is undoubtedly the most diverse and widely-held showcase festival and music fair in the world.
I am convinced that the first Polish edition of WOMEX will not only increase the musical awareness of the country but will also strengthen the position of Polish artists on the global music scene. Together with the ICP Group and the City of Katowice we are proud to have organized another international high-level event and showed that Katowice is an ideal meeting place for the creative music industry. – said Alex Walter, the director of the Womex.
Alex Walter - the Director of WOMEX
The next fair will take place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The official transfer of the host title took place on Saturday, October 28th at Villa Goldstein. Marcin Krupa – President of Katowice met with the Spanish delegation, including Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports in the Canary Islands Isaac Castellano, President of Cabildo de Gran Canaria Antonio Morales and Mayor of Las Palmas Augusto Hidalgo.
I am very proud that Katowice hosted this prestigious event. I am sure that the international audience felt great in our city and came home with good memories. All the participants of the WOMEX brought incredible energy to Katowice and enriched the city with a cultural diversity. I hope that Katowice also influenced them with their musical wealth
Marcin Krupa - the President of Katowice.
WOMEX is a trade fair, conference, music review and networking platform dedicated to world music. The event brings together representatives of labels, concert agencies, festivals, musicians and fans of new voices. The fairs have been organized since 1994 and have changed their location every year, so far they have hosted Seville (Spain), Berlin and Essen (Germany). For the second time the fair took place in Central and Eastern Europe, in 2015 WOMEX hosted Budapest.