MENT has quickly become another important point on the festival map of central Europe. The three-day music festival that included an expanded conference section sustained a very high quality in its first edition last year. The showcases, for instance, were planned perfectly. Thanks to the carefully-considered logistics and optimal scale of the event (5 locations just a few steps from one another) it was possible to see every concert.
Last year, Poland was represented at MENT Ljubljana by Soniamiki, and this year there will be two Polish artists: Cosovel (4th February) and Fismoll (5th February).
Last year, the conference part of the festival, which featured a similar number of panels as the 2016 edition, was of high quality and had astutely-chosen topics. Half of the panels were devoted to typical industry problems, while the second half was made up of lectures and presentations from the intersection of new media, humanities and innovations – the type of mix that festivals such as CTM and Unsound are known for.
Polish delegates will also take part in the panels, including Michał Hajduk, a music expert from the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. On 4th February, he will talk about the Music Export Offices. On the same day, Mariusz Herma from beehype will take on the role of expert judge and assess new artists’ compositions.
Perfect organisation and logistics, a business-like attitude and an interesting programme – those are the main qualities differentiating MENT from its competition. The relatively small size of the event allows it to keep a non-commercial atmosphere, while increasing networking possibilities for local and international delegates. Just as important to the success of the festival are the marketing elements, such as apps, branding and gadgets (even drinks with the festival logo) as well as the discreet, yet efficient sponsoring.
MENT Ljubljana, along with Tallinn Music Week, has become the second most important showcase-networking event in the region, so naturally Poland has to be represented in 2016 and in the following years. It seems essential that Polish artists and professionals be there, building connections with delegates and musicians from the region, who are not usually in the places where Don’t Panic! We’re From Poland has been working for years.
The participation of Polish artists and delegates is co-organised by Culture.pl.
Schedule for Poles at MENT Ljubljana 2016
Thursday 4th February:
- 12:15 – Komuna: Listening session, Mariusz Herma.
- 12:30 – M Hotel, discussion panel Music Export Office in Action, Michał Hajduk
- 21:45 – Channel Zero: Cosovel concert
Friday 5th February:
- 20:00 – Komuna: Fimsoll concert
Source: press materials, translated by OK, 27 Jan 2016