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Serbia

Guca Brass Band Festival

Serbia

6 days – August 16-21 2010

Balkan madness and brass bands as you’ve never known them. Each year 300,000 people descend on the village of Guca, home to just 3,000 inhabitants for the Golden Trumpet competition. It's one of the wildest festivals in Europe.

And this year Guca celebrates its 50th edition so the festival has been extended and some very special guests invited. Book early because it's one of the hottest events of the summer. This year the festival lasts 10 days rather than the usual long weekend and a new trumpet museum is opening in the village. As three days of Guca madness is probably enough, we’ve picked what we think are the best days to catch the most exciting artists - Boban Markovic, Shantel, Goran Bregovic and the first international brass band competition.

All this plus feasting on spit-roasted lamb and pork, alcohol a plenty and dozens of Serbian and Gypsy brass bands playing the local dances - the kolo and the cocek. Aside from the concerts and competitions, much of the fun is to be had in the streets - eating, drinking and dancing around the tables till the small hours.

We will enjoy three evenings at the festival and arrange accommodation within the village - which is in heavy demand. And there's a chance to get a taste of Belgrade nightlife. It’s an unrivalled opportunity to experience the biggest, brassiest and Balkanist festival in Europe.

All Songlines Music Travellers will receive an information sheet about the local music plus recommended recordings and DVDs.

Guca Itinerary

Day 1 Mon

We meet our Songlines Travel Leader at our hotel in Belgrade and have an initial briefing on the tour days ahead. Then you can head out into the city to explore - perhaps the impressive Kalemegdan fortress overlooking the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. Despite the attractions of Belgrade's nightlife, it's only a Monday night so save yourself for Guca.

Day 2 Tues

After breakfast we head south on the half-day drive to Guca. On arrival, after checking into our accommodation, we’ll take a look around town. The party has been going since Friday night. Tonight is a double bill of Boban & Marko Markovic Orkestar and Shantel with his Bucovina Orchestra. Boban Markovic has won the Golden Trumpet prize more often than any other player and his son Marko is following in his footsteps. German-born Shantel has popularised Balkan music to a whole new audience in Western Europe. Don't expect an early night.

Day 3 Wed

No hurry to get up. Today we could check out the new trumpet museum, but the main event is this evening's concert from Goran Bregovic, a former Yugoslav rock star, celebrated composer of film scores (Time of the Gypsies, Underground) ) and now leading his Weddings and Funerals Band. He won the Best Artist Prize in this year’s Songlines Music Awards. With luck, there may be chance for a drink with him after the show.

Day 4 Thurs

This evening there’s a new competition between 14 brass bands from around the world to celebrate the 50th anniversary. The bands have to play by Serbian rules, however, so any visitors will have to be good to win.

Day 5 Fri

We head back to Belgrade arriving at the end of the afternoon. A last evening together and a taste of Belgrade's weekend nightlife. As you'll have gathered, Serbians love a party and a feeling of celebration pervades the bars, restaurants and nightclubs of the capital.