UNESCO Chair Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts (RILA)

Unique collaborations between established European musicians and artists recently arrived in the continent bring you the newest sounds of Europe today.

Respected European musicians join artists already celebrated in their homelands who have recently travelled to Europe, to create new musical dialogues, showcasing the diverse cultural and musical talents within a continent in flux.

In a two-part programme taking place across two evenings, this rich collection of brand new songs is performed live for the first time, each part featuring a unique bill of artists.

Artists include the UK’s Matthew Herbert and Karine Polwart (collaborating with UNESCO Artist in residence Naa Densua Tordzro); Conchita Wurst collaborating with Austrian-based Syrian trio Basalt; Fado singer Carolina; and composer Shalan Alhamwy with soprano Rasha Rizk, with more artists to be announced. 

The concerts are presented by BBC Radio 3’s Sarah Walker. The New European Songbook is a major creative collaboration between European broadcasters, and events will be live-streamed by BBC Arts Digital and recorded for broadcast through an initiative of the European Broadcasting Union, supported by BBC Arts Digital and BBC Radio 3.

Part of the International Festival and British Council season Spirit of '47

For more details and booking please visit the Edinburgh International Festival Website

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First published: 1 August 2017