Wild beauty art 2025 opens in Žabljak with Bilja Krstić's 50th anniversary concert
The concert not only launches the festival program but also serves as a tribute to a remarkable career dedicated to preserving and transmitting the spirit of traditional music
The seventh edition of the Wild Beauty Art Festival, one of the most important cultural and artistic events in northern Montenegro, will open ceremonially on July 5 at 6 PM at Macan Poljana in Žabljak with a concert titled “All the Colors of the Voice”, performed by Bilja Krstić and the Bistrik Orchestra.
This year’s opening marks a grand jubilee—50 years of artistic work by Bilja Krstić, one of the most authentic and cherished voices of the Balkans. The concert not only launches the festival program but also serves as a tribute to a remarkable career dedicated to preserving and transmitting the spirit of traditional music.
Audiences will enjoy the rich musical tapestry of Bilja Krstić, whose voice has become a symbol of the region’s cultural soul. The performance promises a solemn, emotional, and artistically powerful experience—especially meaningful as Krstić steps into her new role as Artistic Director of the Wild Beauty Art Festival.
Joined by the Bistrik ensemble, she will perform a selection of traditional Balkan songs arranged in a modern musical language. Though contemporary in style, the pieces remain deeply rooted in folk traditions, each bearing its own color, emotion, and story—bridging the past and present.
Bilja Krstić’s artistic vision aligns seamlessly with the Festival’s mission: to connect nature and culture, people and place, roots and the future. The concert is designed as a musical journey through time and spirit, held in the unique open-air setting of Macan Poljana—an alpine meadow surrounded by pine forest and mountain peaks. This natural amphitheater offers an immersive experience that transcends the conventional concert format.
Bilja Krstić graduated from the Faculty of Music in Belgrade. After early success with the bands Suncokret and Rani Mraz, she launched a solo pop career and released three albums. For years, she collected authentic audio and score recordings of traditional songs from Kosovo, southern Serbia, the Timok region, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and more. This research inspired the CDs Bistrik and Zapisi, as well as the albums Tarpoš and Izvorište.
She founded the Bistrik Orchestra in 2001, with whom she has enjoyed success at home and abroad. She also composed the soundtrack for the film Zona Zamfirova and has received numerous awards including the Prince’s Prize for Best Ethno Album, Beovizija awards, a film music award, KPZ’s Golden Badge, and the Golden Microphone from Radio Belgrade.
The Wild Beauty Art Festival runs from July 5 to August 11, under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism, with main sponsorship from ONE, gold sponsorship from Coca-Cola HBC, and support from the Municipality of Žabljak, the Ministry of Culture, the Austrian Embassy, and other partners.
Žabljak - A Jewel of Montenegrin Tourism
Nestled in the heart of Durmitor National Park, Žabljak is Montenegro’s highest town and a beloved destination for nature lovers, adventurers, and cultural travelers. Known for its pristine mountain landscapes, glacial lakes like the famous Black Lake (Crno jezero), and thrilling outdoor activities, Žabljak offers year-round appeal—from hiking and mountain biking in summer to skiing and snowboarding in winter.
As a gateway to the UNESCO-listed Durmitor massif, Žabljak combines wild natural beauty with traditional Montenegrin hospitality. It’s an ideal location for a festival that celebrates the intersection of nature and culture, making the Wild Beauty Art Festival a uniquely immersive experience for both visitors and performers.
( Vijesti online )