The third edition of Balkanik Festival, the only event in Romania dedicated to Balkan culture and music, will take place in Uranus Garden, between the 13th and 15th of September, 2013. The festival consists of music concerts, a handicraft fair, painting and photography exhibitions, special cuisine, film projections.

The six music bands that will perform in the festival are:

THE BĂLĂNESCU QUARTET, Romania & England

The recital Maria T is a very special project inspired by the life and voice of legendary Romanian folk singer Maria Tanase. Born in 1913, Tanase achieved mythical status in Romania both during her lifetime and after her death in 1963. Alexander Bălănescu is regarded as one of the most visionary contemporary violinists, but also as a prolific composer. The recital is accompanied by films from the archives of Maria Tănase and by visualssigned by Klaus Obermaier.Born and brought up in Bucharest, he attended famous music schools in Jerusalem, New York and London, where he settled and where he makes recordings with the Mute Records, same as Depeche Mode.

FANFARE CIOCÂRLIA, România

Fanfare Ciocarliais one of the world's greatest live bands, their energy and ingenuity Having learnt their craft at the feet of their fathers and grandfathers, Fanfare's members proudly approach every concert as a challenge to both entertain audiences and keep the true spirit of Gypsy music alive. Along the way Fanfare Ciocarlia have been celebrated by critics and championed in all kinds of media: they star in several films, like FatihAkin’s Head On, Larry Charles’s Borat, etc.

KOTTARASHKY & THE RAIN DOGS, Bulgaria

Kottarashky aka Nikola Gruev opened the door to hitherto undiscovered spaces of Balkan music with his first album "Opa Hey!" in 2009. His approach of using a collection of sounds taken from authentic field recordings is quite similar to artists like Amon Tobin, the only difference being that Gruev found and recorded his sources in the Bulgarian countryside. Combining these, he initiated a tribal digital dance music that went far beyond either the mash up culture of contemporary global producers or the art collages of modern sound architects.

TARAF DE HAIDOUKS, România

The lăutari of Clejani were long known for their musical skills. Since the release of its first album back in 1991, Taraf de Haïdouks has been considered the epitome of Romany music's vitality. The group has toured worldwide, released acclaimed albums and a DVD and counts among its fans the late Yehudi Menuhin, the Kronos Quartet (with whom it has recorded and performed), actor Johnny Depp (alongside whom the group appeared in the film The Man Who Cried), fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto (who invited the band to be models-cum-musicians for his Paris and Tokyo shows), and many more

KAL, Serbia

To be a 21st Century Gypsy in Serbia involves navigating a potentially explosive cultural and social minefield. Currently no one acts as a more forthright guide through this mess of history, myths, traditions, prejudice and community pride than Belgrade's Kal. Kal are a young band, rock'n'roll in attitude, fuelled on dance beats and rooted in the Balkan blues. Their music is a blend of Balkan music and has Oriental, Jamaican, Turkish and tango influences. In April 2006, Kal album occupied the first position in World Music Charts Europe and the third position in the annual chart.

Website: http://www.balkanikfestival.ro

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/balkanikfestivalro

(p) - this article is an advertorial