April 7-10, 2022 Budapest
Budapest-born Canadian, Sophie Lukacs is a classically trained kora player, singer and composer. Her life has forever been changed by a trip to Burkina Faso where she discovered Mandingue music and a magical 21-string instrument – the kora. Not long after she began lessons and traveled to Paris for a master class with kora legend Toumani Diabaté. When he invited her to study with him in Bamako, she packed her bags and never looked back. Having spent six years in Bamako, Sophie was fully immersed in the traditional kora repertoire and the culture of Mali, thus becoming one of the few women in the world recognized as master of the kora, a primarily male instrument. She’s collaborated with some of the best-known Malian musicians, including Habib Koité, and gives captivating performances where she sings and shares stories in English, French, Bambara and Hungarian.
The showcase programme consists of 45-minute performances by jury-selected up and coming world music artists and performers. Entry to the showcase concerts is free of charge.
