WOMEX, the World Music Expo

is pleased to announce its next location ­Copenhagen, Denmark for a three-year residence from 2009 ­ 2011. After a
total of four years in Sevilla, Spain (2003, 2006-2008), WOMEX heads north to this hospitable Nordic capital.

http://www.womex.com/realwomex/videos/showcase_trailer_2009.html

WOMEX is partnering with key Danish players from the fields of music, events and tourism, all with extensive experience in both culture and production.
First and foremost, the partners comprise the Roskilde Festival, the Copenhagen Jazzfestival, and tourist organization Wonderful Copenhagen.
Additional partners are events producers Welcome, the Danish Center for Culture and Development, Global CPH and World Music Denmark.
Each year we seek enhancements and opportunities, says WOMEX General Director, Gerald Seligman, and the chance to team up with Roskilde, who will be producing the showcases and lending their experience to local event management and community outreach, was a determining factor in the move. Add to that the expert teams Copenhagen has assembled, and we can look forward to some thrilling possibilities. As WOMEX matures and expands, these are the kinds of partners we need to help us bring an ever-greater service to our community.

To smooth the way toward total integration of the aims between WOMEX and Copenhagen, a new organization has been formed, the WorldMusicFair Copenhagen, chaired by Anders Laursen and comprised of all key partners. It
is my hope that WOMEX in Copenhagen will result in a massive jump ahead for world music in Denmark and within our metropolitan region, says Laursen. It is a sentiment echoed by Martin Bender of Wonderful Copenhagen, who adds, We will focus on presenting Copenhagen as an open and multicultural city and a great exponent of live music.
There are promising days ahead. ³Roskilde is a model of professionalism and social activism, says Seligman, and one of many reasons we were keen to come to Copenhagen. In times of rising nationalism and xenophobia they, like
our delegates, seek to build bridges rather than barricades.
Next to producing the annual Roskilde Festival, which takes place every year in early July, says Roskilde’s Peter Hvalkof, over the years the Festival organization has been involved in highlighting musical, cultural and related matters that we find need exposure. We hope that our participation can raise the interest for Olocal music from out there here in Denmark, as well as in the rest of the world. Their commitment is such that the Roskilde Festival Charity donates all its annual profits after expenses to humanitarian and cultural projects around the world.
We take seriously our responsibility to our delegates and to our artists, says Seligman, and Copenhagen will help us assure a level of quality, innovation and just plain fun that will do our community proud.

http://www.womex.com/virtual/image/mainpage/showcase_trailer_2009_180×1