A day full of music, workshops, and fun for all ages! This year’s festival is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Dordrecht-Varna sister city relationship. That’s why several Bulgarian artists will be performing. There will be a main stage featuring music, a dance stage with plenty of folklore, an international parade showcasing traditional clothing and dance, and plenty to do at the Country Themed Areas—from music to food, fashion, storytelling, and theater.
Main Stage:
We’ll kick off at 1:00 p.m. with the “NBO Feniks.” The orchestra performs authentic folk music as faithfully as possible, focusing primarily on Eastern European folk music, with a large repertoire from Bulgaria. The repertoire also includes Dutch, English, and Irish folk music. NBO stands for Nieuw Bal Orkest. The orchestra accompanies folk dance groups during dance evenings. The six musicians perform authentic Balkan music with a strong rhythm that’s perfect for dancing.
At 2:30 p.m., Svitlo will take the stage—not just any Ukrainian women’s pop choir. Founded in the Netherlands in 2022 by conductor and vocal coach Kateryna Sikoza, the choir began as a safe haven for Ukrainian women fleeing the war and has grown into a powerful community of connection, support, and cultural expression. A Svitlo concert is an experience. A delight for the senses. In just a few years, the choir has already given more than 120 performances in the Netherlands.
At 3:45 p.m., “Oosterse Snaren” will take the stage. The Syrian group, which was formed in Dordrecht, performs an atmospheric blend of Arabic and Eastern music, combining vocals, string instruments, keyboards, and percussion. The music is rooted in tradition but is performed with passion and enthusiasm for a wide audience. Together, the musicians create a warm, authentic, and captivating musical experience where East and West meet.
Between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., the blues band “King of the World” will close out the show. This top-notch act has been a household name in the Dutch music scene for over ten years. The band consists of Dordrecht native Govert van der Kolm on keyboards, Belgian guitar virtuoso Stef Delbaere, singer/drummer Marlon Pichel, and singer/bassist Ruud Weber. With their energetic performances, various albums, and appearances on major stages such as North Sea Jazz and Paradiso, the band has built a strong reputation for their live shows.
Starting at 1:00 p.m., there will be all kinds of workshops for young and old. The Open Haard Foundation is offering a marbling class and numerous workshops in a variety of dance styles, from salsa to Zumba and flamenco. There are also several creative workshops especially for kids.
On the grounds, visitors can take a trip around the world, passing by tents and stalls where they can enjoy a delicious meal at a Turkish restaurant, watch a Malay lion dance, sip a mocktail, or play dominoes at an Antillean beach bar, dance Cuban salsa at a trendy dance club, enjoy and participate in a British pantomime, and dance to traditional and modern music at a Surinamese-Hindustani party. There’s an African chill-out room, featuring African beats, art, and performances, and a Spanish pueblo where you can hit the dance floor and clap along—with castanets or just your hands—to the flamenco music. Dordrecht’s sister cities will be represented with an exhibition of past and present projects. In short, there’s something for everyone to do; drinks are affordable, and all performances and workshops are free. Come with your eyes and ears wide open and experience the world in one city!
"World City" is organized in collaboration with the Dordrecht Sister Cities of Varna, Bamenda, and Dordrecht, South Africa; Dordrecht Sociaal; the Dordtse Diamanten; the Open Haard Foundation; Salsa Rincon; Verrassing van Dordrecht; Giant Salsa; Kleurrijk Drechtsteden; the Buitenwacht; and others. The festival is made possible in part by the Dordrecht Entrepreneurs Fund.
