Since 2016 when i moved to Spain, with a group of like-minded friends we have been busy setting up and running Labyrinth Catalunya. Labyrinth Catalunya” is an initiative aiming to promote the work of “Labyrinth Musical Workshop” from Crete/Greece in Catalunya, Spain, as well as all over Europe. It is based in Cardedeu and it is supported by the nonprofit association “Musica Modal a Cardedeu”. Its annual festival happens every Easter usually running for 2 weeks with 8-10 seminars and concerts happening around this time. You can check our website with all information about the current and past festivals.
Although all master-musicians teaching at Labyrinth are always travelling, invited to present and teach their art worldwide, L.M.W. itself has always been based in Crete/Greece where the museum of musical instruments of Ross Daly, the founder of the workshop, also lies. “Labyrinth in Catalunya” is an organised attempt for L.M.W. to travel outside Greece for the first time, not only through the teachers themselves, but also through spreading and sharing the philosophy of the workshop and the dynamics created from a meeting of a bigger group of people. Our dream is to make L.M.W. travel around and connect with different localities around and beyond Europe.
Since the initial inception of Labyrinth Catalunya 9 years ago, we are excited to see the dream come true, as already Labyrinth has created new centres for workshops and concerts in Italy, Canada, Greece, Cyprus and Belgium!
In a time in Europe when bonds between different nations are tested, when borders are seemingly rising to divide, due to economic, political and religious dogmas, we consider that it is of crucial importance to emphasize once again the power of the art of music, as a means of uniting people. A unity that doesn’t homogenize, nor categorizes between “superior” and “inferior” cultures. Rather it stems from a deep respect and knowledge about various musical languages; thus the educative part of the workshop. For these reasons, the events are thought of and organized far away from big cities, in a relaxed environment where people, students, teachers, visitants and village people, can spend time together, be near the countryside, play music, exchange experiences and create bonds.
We believe that projects like Labyrinth, where sharing, creating and learning music, instruments and songs from different parts of the world is actually a way of living, are hugely important and relevant today: not only for the musicians and artists themselves, but also for all people, publics and local communities around Europe. These are ways to enhance, nourish and deepen contact, exchange and understanding not only between different musics but ultimately between different cultures and people themselves.