Outernational Festival Unveils Non-Music 'Discourse Program'

The Bucharest weekender will host discussions about the maligned Romanian folk music genre manele and appropriation.

Outernational has revealed the daytime supplement to the impressive array of musical talent already confirmed for its program. On the second day of the festival, which operates between July 7 and 9, Outernational will host two fascinating panel discussions focusing on cultural appropriation and the controversial phenomenon of manele music, which we covered in a two-part feature about the folk music’s origins and the stigma attached to it. One of the headliners of the music program, Florin Salam, is a famous manele musician. The panels feature acclaimed musicologists, curators and music journalists from across Europe and the US, including CTM festival co-founder Jan Rohlf.

The discourse program is integrated into a impressive lineup of performers and DJs, many of whom have closer ties to Romania’s alternative club scene than its more famous counterpart, so-called “rominimal.” For instance, cult DJ Traxx and Salon des Amateurs mainstay Vladimir Ivkovic are on the bill alongside Rabih Beaini, plus ensembles, bands and musicians Kenya, Niger, Senegal and Turkey.

The festival takes place July 7-9 at the beautiful grounds of the Uranus Garden and The Ark in Bucharest. Find a full programme, ticket information and details about the festival here.

Read more: An interactive map of Europe’s best summer music festivals