Bijelo Polje hosts 23rd International Tambura Orchestra Festival

The 23rd International Festival of Tambura Orchestras opened in Bijelo Polje, Montenegro, with local officials highlighting the event’s two‑decade tradition of cross‑border musical collaboration. The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević and cultural association president Selma Omerović.

The festival runs from July 31 to August 1, 2026, featuring ensembles from Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia. Performances take place on the city square, in the museum courtyard, and at the Rista Ratković House, with concerts by groups such as GTO “Branko Radičević” from Rum, TO KUD “Počitelj” from Čapljina, the regional act Mostar Sevdah Reunion, and popular singer Nenad Knežević Knez. Additional program elements include a photography exhibition, a book launch on tambura history, and an EcoLife caravan promoting sustainability.

The festival showcases traditional tambura music alongside sevdah pieces, reinforcing cultural ties across the Balkans and drawing large local and regional audiences.