WOMEX 19, Tampere, Finland, 23 – 27 October 2019

Meet the 7 Samurai

Berlin/Tampere: We’re happy to announce that we have once again gathered the seven representatives joining the WOMEX Jury. Otherwise known as the 7 Samurai, together, they will be curating the Programme for WOMEX 19 in Tampere, Finland.

The Programme consists of proposals coming from all over the world and applications are split into four categories: ‘Showcase’, ‘Club Summit’, ‘Conference’ and ‘Film’. To apply, make sure to visit the dedicated proposal website — www.womex-apply.com 

Hailing from seven different countries, these four women and three men, are active members of the world music community. They each bring their forward-thinking ideas to curate the WOMEX Programme, celebrated for its diversity across the showcase festival scene, spanning across all continents, from innovation to tradition, acoustic to electronic, inclusive of all sectors, expertise and genres.

The Showcase Samurai:

  • Alejandra Gómez (Colombia), director, Biche
  • Amandine Saumonneau (France), coordinator, Zone Franche
  • Divya Bhatia (India), artist director and producer, Jodhpur RIFF
  • Tapio Korjus (Finland), managing director, Rockadillo Production OY
  • Zlata Holušová (Czech Republic), festival director, Colours of Ostrava

The Conference Samurai:

  • Hinurewa te Hau (New Zealand), director, Tamaki Makaurau Matariki Festival Trust
  • Virgo Sillamaa (Estonia), director, Music Estonia

Club Summit Curator

In addition, Emily Dust, renowned DJ, promoter and broadcaster, will be curating the WOMEX Club Summit, a series of customised club nights that feature a line-up of DJs and producers, highlighting the trends, sounds and beats featured on dancefloors across the world. Emily has built an impressive reputation by showcasing the freshest sounds, genres and tempos in a unique style and fashion, which is why we’re excited to have her join the 25th edition of WOMEX.
Read more about the Jury
Call For Proposals — Deadline
Friday, 22 March 2019, Midnight (CET)

Statements from our Jury Members and Club Summit Curator: 

“It is a true honour to have been chosen as a Samurai for this year’s WOMEX, it being one of the biggest and most important windows to the manifold music traditions across our globe. I am most thankful and excited to hear and learn from all the band proposals and fellow jury members in this big responsibility we hold to put together the showcase lineup.” —  Alejandra Gómez, Showcase Samurai

Music has always been unstoppable by all sorts of borders – from actual walls to cultural, social and psychological barriers. Needless to say, these are troubling times on many fronts. WOMEX is a truly global meeting of local cultures from all corners of the world. Let’s continue to use it, then, as a forum of thoughts articulated in words as well as in sounds! I’m humbled and proud to serve as one of the Conference Samurai for WOMEX 19, especially as it is taking place so close to home – see you all in Tampere!!  —  Virgo Sillamaa, Conference Samurai

It’s so important for WOMEX to connect with the next generation of global innovators. There’s never been a more exciting time for club music across the world than now and I’m looking forward to giving a platform to some of that energy and talent at this year’s festival. —  Emily Dust, Club Summit Curator
Photo: Emily Dust, Club Summit Curator, WOMEX 19