The world’s largest world music forum, WOMEX, will take place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, from 21 to 25 October. For the 21st time, the Latvian Music Information Centre (LMIC) will host a stand at the event, introducing international audiences to the latest developments in Latvian ethnic music. This year, Latvia will work closely with the Nordic countries — Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden — creating a meeting space and platform for joint activities. As in previous years, LMIC, in cooperation with the national record label SKANI, has released a special compilation for the event: Native Music 21. Traditional / Folk / World Music Latvia, curated by ethnomusicologist Lauma Bērza and featuring 20 tracks.
During the forum, the Latvian stand will be represented by LMIC, the cultural management centre Lauska, the Porta festival, representatives of the bands Ogas, JŌRA, Laimas Muzykanti, Tā kā pērn, Rikši, RAHU, Zeltrači, Saucējas, The Baltic Sisters, the Latvian Ethnomusicology Association and the LSM.lv news portal. Together with Nordic colleagues, they will organise networking opportunities with music industry professionals and host a reception.
“WOMEX is an important platform for raising the international profile of Latvian music. Since 2019, we have worked closely with Lithuania and Estonia, and this year we are particularly focused on strengthening our ties with the Nordic countries. We are convinced that by joining forces, we can make the music of our region more visible around the world. Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture and the State Culture Capital Foundation, representatives of Latvia’s music industry can meet international partners at WOMEX for the 21st time, gain new knowledge and experience, build collaborations and open up opportunities for Latvian music to reach stages around the world,”
says Rolands Kronlaks, Director of LMIC.
The centrepiece of the Latvian stand will be Native Music 21. Traditional / Folk / World Music Latvia, an ethnic music compilation produced by ethnomusicologist Lauma Bērza. The album features kokle player Latvīte Cirse, guitarist Reinis Jaunais, the duo Stanislav Yudin & Asnate Rancane, Biruta Ozoliņa and fellow musicians in the project Daugavas rāgas, as well as Tautumeitas, Auļi & Chitose Hajime, The Baltic Sisters, Vilki, Vilcenes, Grodi, Sun Horse, Tell Your Birds, Saucējas & DJ Monsta, Banga, Skyforger, Daba San, Bille, JŌRA, RAHU, Kaktu balles muzikanti and Ogas.
Lauma Bērza describes the compilation:
“The past couple of years have been not only productive but also deeply transformative for Latvia’s ethnic music scene, marking a new phase of confidence on the international stage. The years 2025 and 2026 are emerging as a time when we no longer regard ancient traditions as relics of the past, but as a living, pulsating energy finding its voice both on major stages and in the soundscapes of the Latvian countryside. With remarkable creative vision, our musicians are offering their own interpretations of Latvian ethnic music and developing distinctive artistic identities and sounds.”
The compilation’s design was created by artist Vadims Kožins and incorporates a photograph by Jānis Zilvers. The official release date of Native Music 21 is 23 October. Information about the compilation and its tracks is available on the LMIC website: https://www.lmic.lv/native21
WOMEX is the leading international forum for professionals in the world music industry, bringing together nearly 3,000 musicians, record labels, producers, music journalists, festival organisers and other industry professionals from around the globe. Over the five days of the event, audiences can discover outstanding musicians from across the world, with approximately 60 musical acts performing on several stages. The forum offers opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, learn about the latest developments, establish new contacts and find inspiration for future projects.
Latvia’s participation in WOMEX is financially supported by the Ministry of Culture and the State Culture Capital Foundation.
WOMEX will be held for the 32nd time this year. Latvian artists who have previously performed at the forum include kokle player Laima Jansone (2011), the band Iļģi (2015), the traditional singing group Saucējas from the Latvian Academy of Culture (2019), the band ZeMe (2023) and The Baltic Sisters (2025).