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 Ghent's magnificent canals inspired Flanders Festival to devise an open-air happening: OdeGand. Now in its seventh edition, it is safe to say that this event has become a tradition and one of the staples of Ghent's culture scene. On the water, above the water, alongside the water - there will be music!
Music from all over the world along Ghent's quays: let OdeGand immerse you in folk songs, fiery flamenco, fast tango, delightful classical music, intimate baroque music, musical acrobatics, and much more. Together with major stars of the world music, classical and jazz scenes, Flanders Festival and scores of Ghent-based cultural partners will treat you to an awe-inspiring journey along historic buildings on the Leie, Lieve, Ketelvaart and the Scheldt. In the evening, Graslei and Korenlei will once again play host to a magic closing concert and a magnificent bonfire. If you want a sneak peak of this grand spectacle, check out YouTube.
The programme for 2009 will be posted on festivalgent.be from 13th August on.
The previous six editions of OdeGand fielded no fewer that 140 ensembles. Among hundreds of artists were a host of household names, like Barbara Hendricks, Jordi Savall, the SowetoGospel Choir, Wim Mertens, Les Ballets C de la B and Wannes Vandevelde. The audience were treated to such special highlights as a Finnish scream choir, a symphony for fire engines, the four DJs of Birdy Nam Nam, three alpine horn players and several hilarious-to-bizarre marching bands. Classical and world music combined to grand ode to music. Here are just some of the artists who performed during past editions: Bernard Foccroulle, Abida Parveen Argentina Santos, Claron McFadden, Sigiswald Kuijken, Philip Catherine, Hopkinson Smith, Marco Beasley, Jan Michiels and Jef Neve.
The OdeGand concept allows you to taste a variety of performances simply by walking in and out the venues, although other concerts are closed (yet last only 45 minutes). Look out for a surprising and highly original menu. On 12 September, the whole world will be at your feet, accompanied by a touch of classical, swinging jazz and a Latino atmosphere.
Everybody is welcome to OdeGand. So why not take the whole family for a delicious bite of top-notch culture? There will be something for everybody at every street corner and in every square: percussion, South-African traditional dancing, alpine horn players, marching bands—you name it. There will be special concerts adapted to children.
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“ODEGAND MANAGES TO WARM MATURE CLASSICAL AFICIONADOS TO RAW JUVENILE ENERGY- AND VICE VERSA”
DE MORGEN
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