Balkanology is alive and kicking with quirkiness

And boy do those Balkan types know how to throw a party. The Bloemendal Restaurant and estate was dressed up in its best Eastern European style as were all the very good looking attendees. At the entrance we were greeted by two mad scientists and their experiments which included an exercise bicycle and many suspicious looking beakers and bowls and a giant shiny coc... ahem I mean rooster. Opposite to the scientists was a pen filled with some of the prettiest baby cows you have ever seen as well as sheep, goats and pigs.

A further exploration of the grounds revealed a circle of fortune tellers sitting in front of glowing crystal balls. A photographer who would only take your photo once you were wearing a thick black moustache. And a portable kissing booth which was exchanging “bead-zas” for kisses.

Downstairs in the restaurant a Passover meal including chicken soup and lamb burgers was in progress at a long table emceed by two very enthusiastic gypsy girls. Upstairs was the dance floor and BalkanBeats. Not being very familiar with the modern Balkan style of music I wasn't too sure what to expect but was happy to find that it is an extremely enjoyable and impossible not to get down and groovy to. BalkanBeats is described as “folk melodies (including Gypsy, Serbian, Macedonian, Bulgarian and Romanian melodies) reinterpreted, given electronic beats and blended with western styles”.

The musicians on show included DJ Toby2Shoes, Anglea Nemov, the Kolo Novo Movie Band and grandfather of the BalkanBeat style Robert Soko aka DJ Soko. We managed to have a quick chat to Kyla Rose violinist for the Kolo Novo Movie Band as well as the ever popular Freshlyground before she performed. The Kolo Novo Movie Band has been performing at Balkanoloy since its inception in 2006 and is extremely eclectic in its sound and members mixing the traditional BalkanBeat style with some distinctly African flavour.

Each of the South African Balkanology parties have a theme, this year being no different was titled The Resurrection which was not only the resurrection and return of the actual Balkanology event but also celebrated the unexpected and bizarre return of Milovan who's soul was raised from the dead after tragically dying while performing his usual trick of balancing a rooster on his forehead, while riding a donkey and playing the tuba. Milovan is one of the characters from previous Balkanology parties including themes of The Great Balkan Wedding, War and Peace and Wake. We managed to catch a glimpse of Milovan in his un-resurrected state being paraded about the grounds by a chanting group of gypsies.

Balkanology is a brilliant party because it is so quirky and different from the usual, combining fun and interesting music and dress up with performance art, cute animals, delicious food and some of the best looking people around. We will be Balkan-ing it up next year for sure if only to find out the next chapter in the Milovan saga.

Photographs by Jonx Pillemer

View Gallery