Respect Festival, 28th edition, Prague – a zone of tolerance full of music, rhythms, colours and flavours from all over the world. The country’s most important year-round world music showcase each year presents the most varied mix you won’t hear anywhere else: from fading traditions to contemporary global fusions, from genre veterans to hot newcomers. The festival programme offers concerts throughout the year, culminating in a two-day Open Air show on 14-15 June 2025 on the island of Štvanice. The creator of the festival’s visual is once again František Skála.
Kahil El’Zabar – Ethnic Heritage Ensemble (USA)
A unique fusion of polyrhythmic grooves from West Africa and avant-garde jazz. Kahil El’Zabar worked with Archie Shepp, Dizzy Gillespie, Paul Simon, Don Cherry, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder.
Justin Adams & Mauro Durante – Sweet Release (UK, Italy)
It is hard to find another musician with whom the Respect Festival is as closely connected as Justin Adams. This time in a duo with Mauro Durante, introducing their great new album Sweet Release. Inspired by both Sahara and American blues, and the magic Italian pizzica rhythms.
Al Bilali Soudan (Mali)
Masters of the original Sahara roots. Without a doubt, the rawest electrified Touareg music you have ever heard. Compared to them, Tinariwen is pop, Tamikrest is smooth and Tartit is sweet.
Mari Boine (Norway)
She was the first artist to introduce Sámi music with pagan and shamanistic roots to global audience with the album Gula Gula on the Real World label. 35 years later, she returns to Prague with very personal songs from her new album Alva.
Madalitso Band (Malawi)
Two street musicians playing a guitar with motorcycle brake cables as strings, a two-meter single-stringed babatone lute, and a drum played with feet. A live experience not compatible with Spotify.
Bassekou Kouyate & Amy Sacko (Mali)
Virtuoso on the ngoni, a traditional lute that is the predecessor of today’s banjo. He has worked with Béla Fleck, Kronos Quartet and Damon Albarn and recorded the legendary album Kulanjan with Taj Mahal. Together with his wife, singer Amy Sacko, they draw from the deepest roots of the griot tradition of Mali.
Paolo Angeli & Tenore Murales de Orgosolo (Italy)
Sardinian joint project with polyphony choir and Paolo Angeli, the master of prepared guitar of his own design, based on a local instrument and approved by Pat Metheny.
Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti & Frank Rosaly’s MESTIZX feat. James McClure, Ben Boye & Matt Lux (Brazil/Bolivia, USA, South Africa, Netherlands)
South American visionary, singer and multimedia performer Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti meets avant-garde, punk, electronica and minimalism in a five-member Amsterdam project by the world-renowned drummer Frank Rosaly, well known from the Meral Polat trio.
Polyphème – Wassim Halal & Gamelan Puspawarna (France, Indonesiea, Venezuela, Taiwan)
The unique sound of Balinese gamelan intertwines with the rhythms of Turkey and the Middle East, performed by Gamelan Puspawarna and French-Lebanese darbuka master player Wassim Halal.
Deli Teli (Francie, Řecko)
A flashback to times when Greek roots music was undergoing a transformation. Wailing electric bouzoukis and Farfisa keyboards, bringing back the revolutionary visions of the Greek psychedelia of the 1960s.
