Loss and Revival: A Roma-Jewish Musical journey through Transylvania

  • 18:30 - 20:00 (followed by a reception)
  • Wednesday 4 February 2026
  • Liszt Institute Brussels ׀ Liszt Intézet Brüsszel, 10 Treurenberg, 1000 Bruxelles

REGISTER HERE

This event will include a stunning performance of Roma-Jewish music by Giani Lincan, Gábor Ladányi and Vilmos Csikós (see below for full details)

The performance will be preceded by a discussion and exploration of a wonderful Roma-Jewish musical journey through Transylvania.

Speakers:

Levente Major, musicologist, violinist and member of the Transylvanian-founded Üsztürü ensemble

Eduardo Tonietto, cellist and artistic director of Brussels Muzieque, who performed with legendary Jewish artists, such as Mischa Maisky and the Jerusalem Quartet.

Today, one of the most used buzzwords in the EU is “multiculturalism.” The term is simplifying, problematic and more political than cultural.

In Transylvania (today’s Western-Romania), where ethnic minorities have lived together for centuries, cross-cultural exchange is so strong that it is often impossible to draw a line between different cultural traditions. This phenomenon is perhaps most evident in folk music. Jews and Roma in this region played a key role in fusing musical traditions.

After the Second World War most Jewish musicians vanished from Eastern Europe, but their musical traditions were kept alive by Roma violinists. They reinvented Hungarian-Jewish folk music by blending it with Jewish melodies from different regions. In this way, Roma musicians have played an instrumental role in preserving the cross-cultural heritage of Transylvania.

Unfortunately, the EU's cultural policy undervalues historically rooted cultural exchange in favour of manipulated diversity which fragments our societies. Could folk music provide a model for resisting the EU's systematic attack on the continent's historical identity? Could it encourage interaction between people who would otherwise be reluctant to engage with one another?

The event will explore the fascinating musical legacy of Transylvanian Jews through a panel discussion, drawing on the expertise of distinguished specialists in Jewish and Roma folk music. The discussion will focus on traditional Jewish folk music, as well as the vibrant and constantly evolving musical genre known today as klezmer. This will be followed by a concert with world-renowned musicians, who will perform Jewish songs infused with Roma, Hungarian, Romanian and other musical elements.

The performing band consists of three outstanding musicians:

Giani Lincan stands as a preeminent cimbalom virtuoso on the global stage with regular performances at renowned festivals and prestigious venues across Europe, Canada, Malaysia, and the USA. He collaborated with artists such as accordionist Richard Galliano, guitarist Bireli Lagrene, violinist Roby Lakatos, pianist Peter Beets, Janoska Ensemble, Trio Rosenberg, and composer Vladimir Cosma, among others. He is of Rumanian descent and lives in the Netherlands.

Gábor Ladányi, guitarist and composer. Gábor began his musical studies at the age of seven. His unique sound and style are based on elements of jazz, classical music, gypsy jazz, Balkan music, and blues.

Vilmos Csikós, double bass. Vilmos comes from a renowned Hungarian gypsy musician family. From a young age, Vilmos was exposed to many different musical styles, from classical to jazz and folk music. After studying piano, he switched to the double bass under the guidance of Lajos Montag and has been playing professionally since the age of fifteen. During his career, he has performed alongside Roby Lakatos, Tcha Limberger, Biréli Lagrène, and Jordi Savall, among others.

REGISTER HERE

Historic photo credit: Fortepan / Fortepan

Photographer of Ladányi Gábor: Johannes Lunenburg