BALKANKARAVAN is a cultural platform, concert and DJ event series, founded in 2003 by Goran Potkonjak in Zürich.

In the beginning there was nothing.
Some yodeling now and then, perhaps. But besides that: nothing.
Nothing for a very long time.

Then, one could have heard the trumpet. Trumpets showed up, one trumpet after the other, tubas, saxophones, clarinets. The drums and tapans followed.
People rejoiced in their delightful sound.The Boban Marković Orkestar played first, in autumn 2003. They brought us their hotcrazy, sweetsad, slowfast songs.
Ekrem Sajdić came with the Zlatni Prsti, the Mostar Sevdah Reunion with Ljiljana Buttler and Boris Kovač with the Ladaba Orkestar.
The word got around and an entire caravan followed: Fanfare Ciocarlia, Boom Pam, Balkan Beat Box, Ot Azoj, Kal, Amira, Prekmurski Kavbojci, Dobra Notch, Vlatko Stefanovski Trio, Baba Zula, Haydamaky, Miss Platnum, Besh O Drom, Figli Di Madre Ignota, Rock Gitano and La Caravane Passe, the Duša Orkestar, the Živeli Orkestar with Suzana Đorđević, DJ Tagada, the Gypsy Sound System and Fatima Spar with the Freedom Fries.

That's why we have BALKANKARAVAN; we want to welcome guests from the far away and the less away far world - to dance with them and celebrate the sweet sad beautiful life.
As the old song from east, those days sung among westerners, says:
"So be easy and free when you dancing with me,
I am a man you don't meet every day."

Živili