Platform and network World Music Forum NL has decided to end its activities permanently after 20 years. As a valuable network, knowledge hub and booster of the Dutch global/world sector, the forum put this sector on the map at home and abroad. "Not only did declining funding play a role in this. It is time for change and rejuvenation. The responsibility now lies with the venues, festivals and other stakeholders" said director Sonja Heimann.
Since 2005, World Music Forum NL has developed into a unique and vibrant ecosystem of over three thousand music professionals and organisations operating chain-wide: from musicians, composers, programmers and labels to agents, bookers, distributors and journalists.
Director Sonja Heimann and programme maker/music journalist Stan Rijven were responsible for programming and organisation since its inception. (Former) Head of Programming and interim director Tropentheater Emiel Barendsen served as a permanent advisor all those years.
'It remains vital to encourage connection through music from cultures worldwide in times of polarisation. To provide a wider platform within the current music landscape. With the dissolution of World Music Forum NL, the link of booster, connector and representative of the field disappears. The work is never finished. However, it is time for change and rejuvenation. The responsibility now lies with the venues, festivals and other stakeholders to work with the new generation to find a form that meets today's needs." Heimann said.
About World Music Forum NL
Since 2006, World Music Forum NL functioned within the Netherlands as the only chain-wide platform of and for music rooted in various cultures, ranging from traditional music to hybrid forms that join jazz, pop, classical and new composed music.
Spontaneously born out of a number of expert meetings in 2005 and 2006, this open source network was founded with the aim of stimulating the Netherlands-based global/world sector in the broadest sense.
In recent years, World Music Forum NL organised over 170 showcases and panels, and some 380 speakers were given a stage there. As a driver of new talent, countless musicians and groups have broken through partly thanks to support from World Music Forum NL (see track record in attachment).
From the start, networking meetings - the World Blend Café's - were at the heart. The established formula- buffet, thematic panel, showcase and pitches- stimulated the exchange of ideas, knowledge and contacts.
By driving new initiatives, organising expert meetings and sector research, and advising third parties, World Music Forum NL has contributed to anchoring music with roots from elsewhere within the Dutch music scene. Both locally and across national borders; as evidenced by the representation at many foreign music fairs (see track record).
Track record World Music Forum NL 2006-2025
Reports activities World Music forum NL
Organisation World Music Forum NL
- network of 3,000+ organisations and interested parties in the sector
- 400 actively connected and 110+ subscribers
- 130+ World Blend Cafés and expert meetings; with some 380 speakers
- 170+ showcases: during World Blend Cafe's (2006 tm 2024), Dutch Delta Sounds Festival (2016), off-Womex stages for 3 years, and during inJazz (Rotterdam)
- International booth representation at WOMEX (DK, GR, FIN, HON, PT, SP, UK), Babel Music XP (Marseille, FR), Visa4Music (Rabat, MA), Jazz Ahead (Bremen, DE) among others
- Sector survey 2012 and biennial follow-up sector monitors
- Music releases: compilation CDs and publications in Songlines Magazine, founding magazine Beyond (2007/ 2008), culminating in www.mixedworldmusic.com
- Publication of directories and Who is Who online & pocket guide until 2025
- Brochure 'Klankrijk & Kansrijk' following sector survey (2012)
- International representation, showcase programmes and visitor programmes at Womex, Babel Med and Visa4Music, among others
- Numerous musicians and groups that WMF supported in (inter)national profiling, including:
Ahaddaf Quartet, Nawras Altaky, Altin Gün, Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra, Amsterdam Klezmer Band, Arifa, Hamid Reza Behzadian, Boi Akih, Caravan, Dareyn, Chieko Donker Duyvis, The Dubbeez, Nils Fischer & Timbazo, Göksel Yilmaz Ensemble, Maite Hontelé, Jawa Manla, Jungle by Night, Karsu, Kuenta i Tambù, Raquel Kurpershoek, Lingua Franca Ensemble, Magda Mendes, Mehmet Polat, Meral Polat, Minyeshu, NO blues, Nizar Rohana, Rabasa, Samira's Blues, Djocy Santos, Gil Semedo, Shishani & the Nambian Tales, Ronald Snijders, Son Swagga, Tabanka, e.ff.
Press information: Contact Sonja Heimann info@worldmusicforum.nl
