Womex 2015: Their fence is also our fence

The European Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals will not take part in WOMEX 2015.

The situation on the Hungarian border is unacceptable. The simple fact that some of us have access to 

be present at WOMEX this year and others don´t, makes it impossible for us to be there as an 

International network. Individual members will of course choose themselves to be present or not.

Democracy, human rights, justice, freedom of expression and integration ​​are the foundation of the 

European Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals, values ​​we cherish and focus on all the time and not 

the least; values ​​we may never take for granted. Unfortunately this is not the case in Hungary at the 

moment, building walls against humanity.  

We do believe that culture is an essential element of civil society. A strong, free cultural sector is a 

force for social change, nation-building, democratic development. Where words fail, music speaks. At 

WOMEX this year, music will still be played, music lovers will meet, but the European Forum of 

Worldwide Music Festivals cannot be silent watching great violation of basic human rights.