WOMEX Tampere, Finland
22 - 26 October 2025
Unveiling the 2025 Award Recipients!
Each year, the WOMEX Awards celebrate exceptional contributions to the world of music, recognising achievements that resonate far beyond the stage. Honourees are acknowledged for their impact in areas such as artistic excellence, social and cultural significance, political influence, or a lifetime of dedication—any one of which can make them a worthy recipient. The awards honour past achievements while inspiring the next generation of musicians and advocates to push the boundaries of music, creativity, and social impact. Since their inception in 1999, the list of awardees has grown impressively. Here you can find a list of all the recipients of the WOMEX Awards.
Noura Mint Seymali (Mauritania) Will Receive
the WOMEX 25 Artist Award
Noura Mint Seymali has been enhancing and redefining the direction of Mauritanian music since the 1990s, earning recognition on the international stage for her powerful and hypnotic performances. Born into a prominent line of Moorish praise singers, poets, and musicians, Noura began her career at age 13 as a supporting vocalist for the legendary Dimi Mint Abba. Fueled by the exploratory sound of her husband Jeich Ould Chighaly’s emotive, psychedelic guitar lines, Noura’s mastery of tradition combined with her impulse for innovation has made a profound impact on the global music scene — not least as the focal point of a legacy spanning generations of female musicians. For these reasons, and for her exceptional musical output over the past decades, we are delighted to announce Noura Mint Seymali as the recipient of the WOMEX 25 Artist Award.
Syrian Cassette Archives Will Receive
the WOMEX 25 Professional Excellence Award
For 2025, our Professional Award honours The Syrian Cassette Archives for their tireless commitment to preserving, documenting, and celebrating music from Syria’s cassette era, spanning the 1970s to the 2000s. Covering Syrian Arab, Assyrian, Kurdish, Armenian, and Iraqi traditions, the collection features live concerts, studio albums, and folk styles such as dabke and shaabi. Co-founded by producer and archivist Mark Gergis, and Syrian artist and researcher Yamen Mekdad, the project has grown through global contributions into a vital cultural resource. Cassette culture once transformed Syria’s music scene, yet many recordings now risk being lost to war, displacement, and changing technology. Through digitisation and research, the Syrian Cassette Archives ensures this rich heritage remains accessible to listeners worldwide.
More Conference Sessions Announced!
These latest additions further expand an already packed line-up, with key sessions focusing on inclusion and representation: Bridging the Gap spotlights Romani musicians; Diversifying Concert Halls explores how to open stages to global music; and Unlocking the Potential of South East Europe re-examines one of the most under-represented regions in Europe. We’re also excited to introduce the Festivals Networking Session—a dedicated space for festival organisers from around the world to connect. This new addition joins the All Americas and Pan-Indigenous sessions, all designed to foster dialogue and deepen understanding among participants. To make the most of your visit, check out the Who is Coming to WOMEX 25 list online. And when you arrive in Finland, be sure to attend the WOMEX Orientation for New Delegates for tips on how to maximise your time in Tampere.
Meet the Newly Added Speakers | WOMEX 25
Patrice Agbokou (Canada), manager/agent, Pasa Music | Paulina Ahokas (Finland), managing director, ceo, Tampere-talo Group | Sara Ajnnak (Sábmie/Sweden), Sámi artist, activist and storyteller / Sapmist! | Jana Ambrózová (Slovakia), associate professor; Department of Ethnology ICTMCE, Faculty of Arts, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra | Bogdan Benigar (Slovenia), Director, Druga Godba | Barbora Botošová (Slovakia), violinist, artistic director and music producer, Ornament | Miriam Brenner (The Netherlands), artistic director, Music Meeting | Mirko Burazer (Croatia), international project manager / coo, We Move Music Croatia / SHIP | Mercedes Caxaj (Guatemala/Canada), Co-Artistic Director, Sunfest | Matthew Covey (USA), Executive Director, Tamizdat /CoveyLaw | Hinurewa te Hau (New Zealand), Director, Matariki Cultural Foundation | Ruth Koleva (Bulgaria), founder, SoAlive Music Conference / Sofia Live Fest | Oliver Knust (Chile), director, Chilemusica | Veronika Vajda (Hungary), project manager, Hangvető | Chris Sharp (UK), music programmer, Barbican | Codruta Vulcu (Romania), founder / festival director, ARTmania | Marija Vitas (Serbia), journalist, World Music Association of Serbia | Alexander Walter (Germany), WOMEX director, Piranha Arts
WOMEX 25 Meet The Speakers
Conference Sessions | WOMEX 25
Ruth Koleva (Bulgaria), Mirko Burazer (Croatia), Codruta Vulcu (Romania)
Unlocking The Potential of South East Europe
Representation and reality in Europe’s new cultural powerhouse
Bridging the Gap
Needs assessment, networking, and equal opportunities for Romani musicians
Diversifying Concert Halls
Creating space for global music
WOMEX Orientation for New Delegates
Make the most of your time at WOMEX!
WOMEX 25 Conference Sessions
Networking Sessions | WOMEX 25
The Networking Sessions are integral to the WOMEX Conference Programme, and a key driver in delegates forming meaningful connections within the global music industry. Attendees are provided with valuable opportunities to engage in discussions, share their expertise, and contribute to the collective growth of the music community.
Bogdan Benigar (Slovenia), Miriam Brenner (The Netherlands)
Festivals Networking Session
This is a closed session for festival presenters and teams, hosted by the Forum of Worldwide Festivals and inviting global music festival organisers to connect, share, and collaborate with a network of 45+ members.
All Americas Networking Session
Collaboration across the continents
Pan Indigenous Networking Session
From dialogue to action – advancing the Pan-Indigenous Declaration