Members of the University of the Philippines performing group Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra-GaPi) are preparing for Norway’s Førde Traditional and World Music Festival (Førde internasjonale folkemusikkfestival). The festival runs from July 4-7 and is the biggest multi-cultural music event in Norway
The Førde Traditional and World Music Festival are recognized by Songlines as one of the 25 best world music festivals worldwide.
Kontra-GaPi will be participating in the event’s Talent 2013, a project which aims to develop artistic cooperation across borders. Now on its 19th year, Talent 2013 brings in 9 musicians and 3 journalists from the Philippines, Norway and Indonesia to create a new music piece out of each country’s musical traditions. The project will be directed by Steinar Ofsdal and Ismet Ruchimat, composers and renowned musicians from Norway and Indonesia respectively. The new piece will be performed on July 6 at the festival main stage.
Kontra-GaPi is the resident ethnic music and dance ensemble of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP Diliman) College of Arts and Letters. Founded by Arts Studies Professor Pedro “Edru” Abraham Jr., Kontra-GaPi makes use of indigenous Philippine and Southeast Asian instruments and traditions to form contemporary repertoires. The ensemble has been performing and conducting music and dance workshops for local and international audiences since 1989. Aside from engagements all over the Philippines, Kontra-GaPi has also performed in the US, Europe, China and Southeast Asian countries.
The Førde Traditional and World Music Festival is an annual event supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Her Royal Highness Mette-Marit, the Crown Princess of Norway. The theme of the year is Music and Nature.
