The Balkanik festival, on this weekend in Bucharest, will pay homage to famous Romanian singer Maria Tanase, celebrating a century since her birth.

The Bălănescu Quartet will play several songs inspired by Maria Tanase's music during the festival, which will take place between September 13 and 15.

Alexander Bălănescu, a famous contemporary violinist, composed the pieces part of the Maria T album while his recital will be accompanied by screenings from the film archive of Maria Tanase.

Maria Tanase was a famous Romanian singer of Romanian traditional music, nicknamed Romania's Edith Piaf, and Queen of Romanian folk music. She died 50 years ago.

Born and raised in Romania, Balanescu studied in Jerusalem, New York and London, where he currently lives. His recording house is Murte Records in London.

Two Romanian bands, Fanfara Ciocarlia and Taraful Haiducilor din Clejani will also play at Balkanik during the weekend, along with Serbian Kal, Bulgarian The Rain Dogs and Mitsoura from Hungary.

The event is organized by the Cultural Association Metropolis, with the support of the Romanian Cultural Institute, ArCub and the sector 5 city hall.

Fanfare Ciocarlia is the name of a team of 12 Roma members from the village 10 prajini, translated as "Ten Poles", from Iasi County.

They are Romania's most famous brass band, touring internationally for 17 years with more than 1,700 shows worldwide. The band will play on Friday, September 13, from 21:30.

Taraf de Haidouks is a band of musicians who brought Clejani international success by the appearing in 2000 in the film The Man Who Cried (dir. Sally Potter). They starred opposite Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci and Cate Blanchett. More about the bands here.

The full schedule of the event is here.

The concerts will take place at the Uranus Garden, 144 Uranus St. One day tickets cost RON 50, and a three-day pass is RON 150 per person.

editor@romania-insider.com