GoRise this year under the artistic direction of Alexander Gadjiev

The 2026 edition of Glasbe sveta (Musiche dal Mondo), a cross-border music festival connecting Nova Gorica and Gorizia (Italy), will take place from July 28 to August 7. Organized by KUD Morgan, Circolo Controtempo, and Goriški muzej, the festival will feature a diverse lineup of international musicians performing at venues including the Castle of Kromberk and the Piccolo Cielo amphitheatre in the Basaglia Park. The event will highlight cultural exchange through music, with performances blending jazz, folk, and global traditions. The festival’s theme, “Uglaševalci miru” (Peacemakers), was curated by festival organizer Boštjan Gombač. It focuses on artists and projects that engage with unfamiliar cultures and continuously explore their own identities. The theme emphasizes friendship, openness, mutual listening, creative empathy, nature influences, shared spaces, rhythms, respect, and openness. The festival aims to foster dialogue and build connections between communities on both sides of the border. A key highlight of the festival will be the premiere of the Slovenian-Italian-American trio The Peacemakers, featuring multi-instrumentalist Boštjan Gombač, vibraphone player Pasquale Mirra, and internationally acclaimed drummer and vocalist Hamid Drake. Their performance at the Castle of Kromberk will mark the debut of this collaborative project. Other notable acts include the quartet of iconic Croatian musician Darko Rundeka, contemporary Slovenian folk artist Nika Prusnik and his brothers Poljanec, and legendary Slovenian ethno ensemble Terrafolk. The festival will also welcome the Afro-Cuban rhythm group Omar Sosa Trio - Vibe Factor and the Italian-Senegalese ensemble Afrodream, which will bring energy rooted in African beat traditions. In addition to mainstage performances, the festival will host a variety of special events. Italian experimental saxophonist Laura Agnusdei will present her latest album with her quartet, while Italian experimental vocalist Elsa Martin will showcase her vocal project Vox Humana. A unique collaboration between Boštjan Gombač and guitarist Igor Leonardi is also scheduled. The festival will also feature the one-time cabaret act YOU!WHO?WHO! by popular musician and puppeteer Matija Solce, known for its eccentric and theatrical style. The event will conclude with a performance by the domestic ethno-psychodelic rock band Grunt at the AESON festival in the Italian town of Fiumicello. The festival will also include the annual Tržnica Dobrote sveta (Market of World Kindness), held at the Castle of Kromberk amphitheatre. This event offers visitors a chance to experience local and eco-friendly food, artisanal products, and fine wines from both sides of the border. The market serves as a gathering space for all ages, offering opportunities to taste, meet, and connect in a relaxed atmosphere. Admission is free. The festival schedule runs from July 22 to August 6, with performances taking place between 19:00 and 24:00. Key dates include a pre-event concert by Grunt on July 22 in Fiumicello, followed by a series of performances at the Piccolo Cielo venue in the Basaglia Park starting on July 28. The main stage at the Castle of Kromberk will host several highlights, including the opening night on August 5 and the final concert on August 6. The festival promises a rich tapestry of musical styles and cultural exchanges, reinforcing its role as a vital platform for intercultural dialogue.