The Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Art (ICMA) at the George Enescu National University of Arts, Iași (UNAGE Iași), through the 2025 ICMA–UNAGE internal research grants, organised the international conference Balkan Interferences in Contemporary Music and Art: Contextualisations and Multidisciplinary Approaches on 3 October 2025, in the George Pascu Symposion Hall in the University’s Artes Building.

The event brought together Romanian and international artists and researchers interested in the phenomenon of Balkanism, who analysed the impact of cultural, social, artistic, and historical interactions on regional identity, as well as the ways in which these are reflected in the contemporary context.

The aim of the conference was to contribute to the reconsideration of stereotypes commonly associated with the Balkans – a region often perceived as a space of contradictions or as a periphery of Europe – and to encourage a balanced perspective grounded in dialogue, research and the exchange of ideas. The topics addressed included areas of interest such as world music and folklore, film and theatre, choreography, visual arts, and other related fields.

Scientific Committee:
• Professor Laura Vasiliu
• Professor Emmanouil St. Giannopoulos
• Professor Cristian Nae
• Associate Professor Loredana Iațeșen
• Associate Professor Diana Beatrice Andron

Organising Team:
• Lecturer Mihaela Georgiana Balan
• Scientific Researcher Mirela Ștefănescu
• Associate Professor Irina Zamfira Dănilă
• Doctoral Candidate Maria Isabela Nica

Media Partners:
Radio Iași, Radio Trinitas, TVR Iași, Revista Timpul

Conference held within the framework of the research project Balkan Interferences in Contemporary Music and Art: Contextualisations and Multidisciplinary Approaches, funded by the Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Art at the George Enescu National University of Arts, Iași, through the 2025 ICMA–UNAGE internal research grants.

Project Director: Scientific Researcher Ligia Fărcășel.