MASALA Aftermovie 2017: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvIppEgvkr0
MASALA Aftermovie 2018: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygQu2WMw0A0
MASALA Aftermovie 2019: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxEC9jvaBwg
The MASALA Weltbeat Festival was a music festival that had been taking place since 1995 and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022, which also marked its end. The big world market, open air on the Weißekreuzplatz in the heart of Hanover, will continue to take place.
A world music festival for Hanover
What began in another century has developed into one of the oldest and most important world music festivals in Europe: for 25 years, MASALA has been showcasing the musical richness of the most diverse regions of the world. In addition to world-famous stars, the festival also featured artists who were often unknown in this country and were a new discovery for many spectators. Reggae and cumbia met mambo, swing and tango. Indie rock and Balkan pop collided with jazz and folk, salsa met hip-hop and electro beats. Without blinkers and without too much commercial pressure, the MASALA team had the privilege of inviting outstanding international musicians every year who would otherwise never be able to perform in Hanover or even in the region.
In the last 25 years, more than 400 formations from over 80 countries have been guests – original individual artists, large orchestras, bands or entire families of musicians.
Nine days of programme
In addition to the large evening concerts in the Pavillon Cultural Center, the MASALA Weltbeat Festival held several concerts at special locations in the Hanover region: in 2022, for example, at the family-run Adolphshof estate near Lehrte, at Landestrost Castle in Neustadt am Rübenberge and at the quaint H. Warnecke grain distillery in Bredenbeck.
In addition to the music, the festival was also characterised by the supporting programme with children’s concerts, exhibitions, workshops and joint activities.
On the last weekend, the big MASALA World Market took place: Sounds, colours, smells and delicacies transformed the Weißekreuzplatz at the Pavilion Cultural Center into a colourful bazaar. In addition to international street food, handicrafts and curiosities, artists from the “UNESCO City of Music” played concerts and Hanoverian dance groups presented traditional dances.
Continuation of the World Market
The 25th anniversary marked the end of the festival in 2022. Despite this, the World Market, the large open-air event on the Weißekreuzplatz at the Pavillon Cultural Center, will continue to take place. The next World Market will take place from the 30th of June to the 2nd of July 2023.