Sonemus Fest
Sonemus Fest is an international multi-day contemporary classical music festival which annually takes place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was established in 2001 by The Society Of New Music Sarajevo in cooperation with the Sarajevo Music Academy and the Pro Helvetia Foundation. Its focus is on the promotion of classical composers from the countries of Southeast Europe who belong to the contemporary art music aesthetic.
History
Sonemus Fest was founded in 2001 in Sarajevo by the Society of New Music Sarajevo, in collaboration with the Sarajevo Music Academy and the Pro Helvetia Foundation. The festival was established to promote contemporary classical music, with a particular focus on composers from Southeast Europe who align with modernist and avant-garde aesthetics. Over the years, it has become a significant platform for showcasing both regional and international contemporary composers and performers.The festival has hosted numerous esteemed composers, including Jürg Wyttenbach, Uroš Rojko, Marko Nikodijević, Richard Barrett, Antoine Fachard, Simon Steen-Andersen, Hanan Hadžajlić, Ališer Sijarić, and Dino Rešidbegović.
In 2021, the festival celebrated its 20th edition with a concert at the Sarajevo Music Academy, featuring works by composers such as Luciano Berio, Brian Ferneyhough, Toshio Hosokawa, and Anton Webern, performed by the SONEMUS Ensemble and students from the academy.
Format
Sonemus Fest is typically held annually in April or May and spans three days. Each day features evening concerts that present a diverse range of contemporary classical compositions. The festival also includes workshops, lectures, panel discussions, and exhibitions, often held at the Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art in Sarajevo.In addition to performances, the festival emphasizes educational activities. Guest composers and performers conduct masterclasses and lectures, fostering dialogue between established artists and emerging talents. For instance, in 2017, composers Vinko Globokar, Marko Nikodijević, Uroš Rojko, and Urška Pompe led public lectures and composition classes as part of the festival's program.
Venues
Sonemus Fest events are hosted at various cultural and academic venues in Sarajevo, including:These venues provide spaces for concerts, educational sessions, and exhibitions, contributing to the festival's multidisciplinary approach.