WOMEX (the World Music Expo) is the biggest and the most important event of its kind in Europe, and also the best opportunity in the world to meet professionals associated with traditional, ethnic and folk music. Each year, the event features concerts, conferences and documentary film showings. Last year’s edition of the fair in Cardiff gathered more than 3000 delegates and more than 2000 companies and industry institutions.
When working on the project, it was decided to join the forces of contemporary music and design. It resulted in an exhibition stand designed by the Gdyby group from Gdańsk. The idea behind it was to present Poland as a country with an extremely rich and diverse musical tradition, open to modernity, hospitable, and supporting of young artists and designers, as well as distinguishing itself with good design.
At the Don’t Panic! We’re From Poland stand, one can purchase a compilation CD produced by Culture.pl in cooperation with the Transetnika Association, the All Mazurkas of the World festival, and Polish Radio's Programme 2. The compilation consists of 2 CDs – Nu Folk and Living Tradition. The former was curated by Mateusz Dobrowolski of the Transetnika Association, and the latter by Janusz Prusinowski, an artist and promoter of folk music. The Nu Folk/ Living Tradition compilation is a unique combination of many trends within the folk and world music scenes and a multitude of traditions and origins.
The aim of taking part in WOMEX was to promote the Don’t Panic! We’re From Poland brand as the main source of knowledge and contact with contemporary Polish music. It’s the first initiative under this brand to concentrate both on presentation and information. Until now, Don’t Panic! We’re From Poland was known mainly for organizing showcases, networking actions and education of the Polish music industry’s representatives.