Belgrade, Serbia

The 46th Guca trumpet festival

Published: August 30, 2006

Guca recap can be found here. Beth Kampschror gives her impressions here (via YG)
Most will have heard of the Guca Festival by now. It earns its place here at the Belgrade blog on account of its increasing popularity with foreign tourists and its branding potential.

Recorded in Guca last year by Sini Vlaisavljevic

The Guca Festival is excellent precisely because it is rural or historic Serbia and something that all can take part in. It would be a tragedy if only modern events like the Exit Festival were to be associated with Serbia. Apart from that one can have a bloody good time there sampling some of the best plum brandies in Europe and eating tasty (ok we are talking about eating meat in a macho way) food in the traditional way – gathered around a spit. Though I have criticised Kusturica here and elsewhere some of the popularity of Guca and trumpet playing in general being associated with Serbia (or the former Yugoslavia) is down to him.

Guca began today and will continue until the 3rd of September. This year organisers expect upwards of 600,000 visitors and there will be more events held during the festival than ever including a Japanese documentary about Guca Festival. Boban Markovic and his orchestra are headlining but there are plenty of other musicians present including ordinary types who just take their trumpets with them to provide impromptu performances. These type of experiences can be very rewarding to the foreign visitor (or city dwelling Serb). The bearded man you might normally fear elsewhere – at Guca quite often turns out to be the kindest and most welcoming person you meet.

Do visit the official link of Guca. There is an English language section, photos, help with accommodation and much more.

Don’t know about the rest of you but I remain convinced that the world has yet to see the best of Serbia. We will be here to ensure that they do!

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