After the success of the Iceland Focus in 2015, Eurosonic Noorderslag put the spotlight on Central and Eastern European countries. 

Eurosonic Noorderslag is preparing for its 30th edition with the Central East European regions as the focus for 2016. Each year a different country is highlighted in order to showcase the diversity of musical talent across Europe. We are delighted to announce that in 2016, 13 CEE countries will be the focus region of Eurosonic Noorderslag.

Countries that have been showcased at previous editions include France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, The Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, Austria and Iceland. The 30th edition of Eurosonic Noorderslag will take place on 13, 14, 15 and 16 January 2016.

CEETEP (2010 – 2015)
The focus for 2016 is the conclusion of the Central European Talent Exchange Programme (CEETEP). Together with 18 CEETEP festivals in the CEE region and selected CEE media partners, Eurosonic Noorderslag and co-organisers Sziget and Exit Festival, have developed a plan to encourage the circulation of CEE artists and repertoire in Central and Eastern Europe, both at festivals and in the media. By working together, the CEETEP festivals and their media partners aim to help more CEE artists perform across borders within Central Eastern Europe, and, via shows at Eurosonic Noorderslag, throughout the whole of Europe and beyond.

Fruzsina Szép (former programme director of Sziget (HU) between 2009-2014, now Director of Festival Coordination and Public Affairs Berlin Festival and Lollapalooza Berlin):
“My deep wish to strengthen the circulation of artistic repertoire and the cooperation and exchange of know-how between the cultural workers, festivals, media in the CEE region started long back in 2005. In 2006 the idea of CEETEP was born at the RegiON music conference in Budapest. With the only strong believe that we can build up something together for our region, for the artists by building cultural bridges between our countries. With the great cooperation between all the wonderful people, festivals, media and Eurosonic Noorderslag and Exit Festival involved a 10 year period will come now to its final phase. In January 2016 we will unite all the positive energies and the region which we call Central and Eastern Europe  and we will become ONE within the stages of Europe. January 2016 at Eurosonic a long time dream will come true… I can only say that I´m so happy, honoured and thankful to be part of that family and I´m honestly thankful for every person being part of making the CEETEP project possible.”

Peter Smidt (creative director Eurosonic Noorderslag):
“With more or less half of the European people living in what we call Central Eastern Europe, Eurosonic Noorderslag feels it is crucial to make much more and better connections between Western Europe and Central Eastern Europe. We are curious for all talents in this large area and would like to facilitate much more and better business relations between music professionals and media.”

The 13 focus countries in the CEE group are:
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.  View the 18 CEETEP festivals here: www.etep.nl/en/festivals/ceetep-festivals/

The CEE-focus will be organised by: Fruzsina Szép (HU/DE), Exit (RS), Open’er Festival (PL), Pohoda (SK), Waves Bratislava (SK), Talinn Music Week (EE), Guna Zuika (Creative Industries Council at the Ministry of Culture, Latvia) (LV) and Eurosonic Noorderslag (NL).

2015 Focus Country Success
The 2014 focus country Iceland had a huge success with their Iceland erupts campaign showcasing 19 new promising acts.  Read more about Iceland Erupts here: www.icelandmusic.is/music/news/eurosonic—iceland-erupts-is-a-stonking-success/1635/

Says IMX managing director Sigtryggur Baldursson:
“We were very happy with the focus; the attendance to all of the gigs and all of our events was fantastic and even the little pop up downtown went splendidly, sold lots of records and showed lots of films to lots of people. Our ministers of business & innovation and culture showed up, along with the Reykjavik mayor, they took part and were suitably impressed with both the conference and festival and the Icelandic focus, which is something that reflects very well here.

About Eurosonic Noorderslag
Eurosonic Noorderslag is the key exchange and networking platform for European music, with a proven track record for helping to break new acts on the international live music scene. A sold out event for many years. Eurosonic Noorderslag attracts over 3,200 professional delegates, including representatives of over 400 international festivals. Eurosonic Noorderslag presents showcases by more than 350 acts alongside a conference programme featuring 150 panels, keynote speakers, interviews and workshops, as well as dinners, pitches, parties and meetings covering the latest developments in international music media, production and interactive industries

Eurosonic Noorderslag has been responsible for kick-starting the careers of European acts like Ásgeir, Aurora, Bastille, Dotan, Ibeyi, James Blake, Jett Rebel, Hozier, Milky Chance, Royal Blood, Seinabo Sey and Vök.

Find out more about Eurosonic Noorderslag: www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl

Contact
Nikki McNeill at Global Publicity
nikki@46.32.240.39

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