Muziekpublique

Muziekpublique is a Brussels-based non-profit organisation (vzw/asbl) dedicated to the promotion and defence of traditional music and dance from cultures around the world, with a particular focus on acoustic, folk, traditional, popular, mixed, classical, jazz and 'nu:trad' styles. Founded on 26 August 2001 under the name La Tentation, the organisation has grown into a key player in Belgium's traditional and folk music scene. Its work is structured around three main axes: organising around one hundred concerts per year plus festivals; running an academy that offers more than fifty instrument and dance courses; and producing CDs and managing/booking artists through its own record label. Muziekpublique's programming is driven by quality rather than fame, giving stage time to both well-known names and lesser-known talents. The organisation maintains an extensive network with musicians from the various communities present in Brussels and Belgium, fostering artistic encounters. Since 2005 it has managed the Théâtre Molière in Ixelles, a venue owned by the municipality, and its headquarters officially moved there on 15 November 2006. Concerts take place at the Théâtre Molière, while lessons and workshops are held both there and at the Maria-Boodschaplyceum, a Dutch-language secondary school in Brussels. The organisation also runs a record label, releasing roughly one CD per year and helping artists plan concerts. Its catalogue includes albums by Tamala, Las Lloronas, Refa, Vardan Hovanissian and Emre Gültekin, Bao Sissoko, Malick Pathé Sow and others. Muziekpublique organises several festivals, including the Living Room Music Festival, Hide & Seek Festival (since 2016), Sonamos Latinoamerica Festival (since 2015) and Firefly Sessions (since 2021). In 2016 the organisation received the Flemish Culture Prize for Music, the Ultima. The name Muziekpublique is half Dutch and half French, reflecting its bilingual Brussels identity and its aim to bring audiences closer to music.

Muziekpublique was founded on 26 August 2001 under the name La Tentation. In its early years, the organisation had no permanent venue; concerts were organised in people's homes and small halls around Brussels. This grassroots approach reflected its mission to bring music closer to audiences and to support traditional music from diverse communities. In 2005, Muziekpublique took over the management of the Théâtre Molière in Ixelles, a venue owned by the municipality. The headquarters were officially moved there on 15 November 2006. This gave the organisation a permanent base for its concerts, workshops and lessons. Lessons and workshops also take place at the Maria-Boodschaplyceum, a Dutch-language secondary school in Brussels. Over the years, Muziekpublique expanded its activities. It now organises around one hundred concerts per year and several festivals, including the Living Room Music Festival, the Hide & Seek Festival (since 2016), the Sonamos Latinoamerica Festival (since 2015) and the Firefly Sessions (since 2021). Its academy offers more than fifty instrument and dance courses. The organisation also runs a record label, releasing approximately one CD per year and helping artists with concert planning. The label's catalogue includes albums by Tamala, Las Lloronas, Refa, Vardan Hovanissian and Emre Gültekin, Bao Sissoko, Malick Pathé Sow and others. In 2016, Muziekpublique received the Flemish Culture Prize for Music, the Ultima, recognising its contribution to the music sector. The organisation has established itself as a key actor in the traditional and folk music scene in Belgium, known for its quality-driven programming and its network with musicians from various communities in Brussels and beyond.

• 2021

  Firefly Sessions launched.

• 2016

  Received the Flemish Culture Prize for Music, the Ultima.

• 2016

  Hide & Seek Festival launched.

• 2015

  Sonamos Latinoamerica Festival launched.

• 2006

  Headquarters officially moved to the Théâtre Molière on 15 November.

• 2005

  Took over management of the Théâtre Molière in Ixelles.

• 2001

  Founded on 26 August under the name La Tentation.

A non-profit cultural organisation and label positioning itself as a key actor in the traditional and folk music sector, prioritising quality over fame and fostering intercultural encounters in Brussels.

• 2021

  Tamala, 'Lumba'

• 2020

  Las Lloronas, 'Soaked'

• 2020

  'Jola' (Gnawa musicians)

• 2019

  Refa, 'Amina'

• 2018

  Vardan Hovanissian & Emre Gültekin, 'Karin'

• 2017

  Bao Sissoko, Mola Sylla & Wouter Vandenabeele, 'Tamala'

• 2016

  Voxtra, 'The encounter of Vocal Heritage'

• 2016

  Refa, 'Amerli'

• 2015

  Vardan Hovanissian & Emre Gültekin, 'Adana'

• 2012

  Malick Pathé Sow & Bao Sissoko, 'Aduna'

• 2011

  Zongora, 'Doverie'

• 2010

  Blindnote

• 2010

  Nedaye Asemani, 'Shahkilid'

• 2008

  Malick Pathe Sow, 'Maayo Men'

1. 1Muziekpublique official websitemuziekpublique.be
2. 2Muziekpublique - Aboutmuziekpublique.be
3. 3Muziekpublique - Teammuziekpublique.be
4. 4Muziekpublique - Lifemuziekpublique.be
5. 5Wikidata Q112964306wikidata.org
6. 6Muziekpublique - Wikipedia (NL)nl.wikipedia.org