2023-09-03 Preßburger Klezmer Band Pink Whale BA

I had a great time at the concert of Preßburger Klezmer Band on September 3rd on the Pink Whale ship cultural centre in Bratislava. The band celebrated their 25th anniversary with a new program called Korene/Roots, which showcased their musical journey and influences. They played a variety of songs from their albums, as well as some new compositions and arrangements. The band members were very energetic and charismatic, and they interacted with the audience in a friendly and humorous way. They also invited some guests to join them on stage, such as a violinist, a saxophonist, and a dancer. The music was lively and emotional, blending Jewish, Balkan, Oriental, Slovak, and Gypsy elements with jazz, rock, reggae, and Latino styles. The Pink Whale ship was a perfect venue for this concert, as it offered a cozy and unique atmosphere on the Danube river. The concert lasted for more than two hours, and I danced and sang along with the band and the other fans. It was a wonderful experience that I will remember for a long time. The concert was also part of the European Days of Jewish Culture, which is an annual festival that promotes the diversity and richness of Jewish heritage in Europe. The festival has been granted UNESCO patronage and offers hundreds of events in various countries. The theme of this year’s festival was Dialogues, which aimed to foster cross-cultural communication and understanding. The concert of Preßburger Klezmer Band was a fitting finale for the festival in Slovakia, as it demonstrated the dialogue between different musical traditions and cultures.