As the last day clinching deals, exchanging business cards and collecting records drew to a close, the time had come for the traditionally drawn-out and somewhat inebriated last night to begin, with an extra hour as a bonus as we moved into wintertime.
The special focus on the Indian Ocean was one of the main attractions, the line-up of Regis Gizavo, Salem Tradition, M'Toro Chamou and Rajery inviting us on a high quality and heart-felt musical trip around it's various islands, the young M'Toro's performance a particularly interesting discovery.
In a more European style, the Italian singer-songwriter Vinicio Capossela put on a theatrical show full of humour and decadent eccentricity presenting his very personal repertory of poetic compositions.
But it was the 'crossover' sounds of a new generation forging ahead into the uncharted territories of Electro World that stole the show. First the delicate Franco-Tunisian project DuOud charmed the delegates. But it was the majestic performance of Turkish ney player and electronic producer Mercan Dede, accompanied by a group of wonderfully skilful musicians and the hypnotically whirling skirts of dancer Mira Burke that provided the grand finale to this year's Womex.

Marushka