Behind the project is Culture.pl, the flagship brand of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. According to the organisers, despite their varied traditions and cultures, highlanders from different regions of the world actually have a lot in common, including temperament, lifestyle and, most pertinently, music typically known for its passion and unique lyrical qualities. It is as if the tough conditions of life in beautiful natural surroundings become reflected in an original and easily recognisable music style.
The characteristic music of the highlands is enjoyed by audiences worldwide – something Trebunie-Tutki have discovered while performing all over the world. The group was the first Polish folk ensemble to begin a dialogue with other diverse musical genres, often distant both culturally and geographically, as in case of their collaboration with the Jamaican roots reggae stars Twinkle Brothers, and with Adrian Sherwood, a British music producer specialising in dub music. The main motif of Trebunie-Tutki's work is the music's ability to transcend cultures and trump prejudices. These original compositions by Krzysztof Trebunia-Tutka, inspired by the traditions of the Podhale highlanders, bring a new quality to Polish heritage.
Much like Trebunie-Tutki, Quintet Urmuli from Georgia passes on musical skills and traditions from generation to generation, while being open to using modern sounds. The upcoming combination of Tatra and Caucasus culture promises an intriguing album, which will premiere during the Cross-Culture Warsaw Festival in September 2016.