IOM International Organization for Migration carried out an event entitled “MultiCOOLtural evening We are at home here”. It was held on 19 April 2012 in the Cultural Center Dunaj in Bratislava. The evening was the opening event of the 7th [Fjúžn] festival, organized by the Milan Šimečka Foundation. The multicultural party with rhythm, dances, and flavours of Asia, Africa, Orient and Caribbean introduced a fusion of different cultures – both Slovak and foreign ones – and attracted over 500 guests!

The programme was opened by Vanessa Wang playing Chinese zither instrument gu zheng while Olia El Hassoun and Roman Kozak introduced the audience to their oriental music accompanied by the dance performance of the belly dancer. Moreover, Thierry performed the African drums and rhythms. The headliner of the evening was the musical band Team Cuba interpreting original Cuban son, salsa, meringue and cha-cha. Except for  their own songs their repertoire was appreciated for the pieces of the legendary Cuban band Buena Vista Social Club. The dancing duo Sabor Cubano swayed the audience to the rhythm of the traditional Cuban dances, encouraging the visitors to join them at the dance floor.

If you were or not at the MultiCOOLtural evening, enjoy its atmosphere from photos on the FB page of the event.

In addition to the performances, the visitors also had the opportunity to taste traditional cuisines- Indian, Lebanese, and oriental sweets, as well as traditionally served Turkish coffee and tea.

The event was moderated by Aron "Mitu" Tesfaye from Ethiopia, acting in Slovakia for 16 years as a dancer, a choreographer, an actress, a dance instructor and the founder of the dance group LIL' MITU CREW. The event was co-moderated by Laco Oravec, programme director of Milan Šimečka Foundation.

The event We are at home here is a part of an international project Next Door Family EU – Inclusive Neigbourhoods, co-financed by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals (EIF) and by the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava, Slovakia. The project at the international level is coordinated by NGO Word 21 and implemented in collaboration with partners in seven European countries. The project in Slovakia is implemented by International Organization for Migration (IOM). For more information on the project visit www.nextdoorfamily.eu.

Partners of the event were: NGO Word 21 (Občanské sdružení Slovo 21) and Milan Šimečka Foundation. The event was supported by: Cultural Centre Dunaj and Slovak-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry.