Dikanda - World Music

In the organizer's words:

The formation around accordionist Ania Witczak has existed since 1997 and has earned a reputation as one of the most charismatic live groups on the world music scene. Whether it's a cracking polka, a tender ballad or oriental grace, this virtuoso band plays full of glowing emotion and joie de vivre.

They come from Szczecin, Poland. They draw their musical inspiration from the traditional folklore of the Orient - from south-eastern Europe to Israel, Kurdistan, Belarus and India. The influences of the Balkans dominate their works.

With their idiosyncratic mix of world music, Dikanda are on a quest for pure emotion.
They create volcano-like music that has not only won them loyal fan bases in Poland, Prague, Los Angeles, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Greece, Hungary, Russia and Germany, but also first prize in the Eurofolk competition in Plock. In 1999, Dikanda was awarded the audience prize at the "New Tradition" competition in Warsaw. In 2004, Dikanda won first prize in Germany's only European folk music competition - the "Eiserner Eversteiner", organized by the Malzhaus in Plauen. In 2005, Dikanda's latest CD "Usztijo" won the title "Folker! CD of the year 2005" of the music magazine "Folker!