World music conference WOMEX 2025 announced additional conference and networking sessions, underscoring a clear focus on inclusion and representation.
Highlighted panels include “Bridging the Gap,” spotlighting Romani musicians; “Diversifying Concert Halls,” examining how to open stages to global music; and “Unlocking the Potential of South East Europe,” reassessing one of the continent’s most under-represented regions.
The Festivals Networking Session provides festival organizers a dedicated forum to connect. This joins the All Americas and Pan-Indigenous sessions, which aim to foster dialogue and strengthen collaboration across the global music community.
Delegates can plan ahead with the online “Who Is Coming to WOMEX 25” list. In Tampere, first-time participants may attend the “WOMEX Orientation for New Delegates” for practical guidance on making the most of their time in Finland.
Newly Added Speakers | WOMEX 25:
Patrice Agbokou (Canada), manager/agent, Pasa Music | Paulina Ahokas (Finland), managing director, ceo, Tampere-talo Group | Sara Ajnnak (Sábmie/Sweden), Sámi artist, activist and storyteller / Sapmist! | Jana Ambrózová (Slovakia), associate professor; Department of Ethnology ICTMCE, Faculty of Arts, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra | Bogdan Benigar (Slovenia), Director, Druga Godba | Barbora Botošová (Slovakia), violinist, artistic director and music producer, Ornament | Miriam Brenner (The Netherlands), artistic director, Music Meeting | Mirko Burazer (Croatia), international project manager / coo, We Move Music Croatia / SHIP | Mercedes Caxaj (Guatemala/Canada), Co-Artistic Director, Sunfest | Matthew Covey (USA), Executive Director, Tamizdat /CoveyLaw | Hinurewa te Hau (New Zealand), Director, Matariki Cultural Foundation | Ruth Koleva (Bulgaria), founder, SoAlive Music Conference / Sofia Live Fest | Oliver Knust (Chile), director, Chilemusica | Veronika Vajda (Hungary), project manager, Hangvető | Chris Sharp (UK), music programmer, Barbican | Codruta Vulcu (Romania), founder / festival director, ARTmania | Marija Vitas (Serbia), journalist, World Music Association of Serbia | Alexander Walter (Germany), WOMEX director, Piranha Arts.
More about WOMEX.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central