Since 1990, the non-profit organisation Ademar (“Les Amis Des Enfants Malades Rénaux”) has been supporting children with kidney diseases. Ademar was founded in June 1990 as part of the activities of the paediatric nephrology department of the Queen Fabiola University Hospital in Brussels. It was then opened to children from other Belgian centres. Children with kidney disease often require specific care that requires expensive equipment but also highly specialised staff. In order to support the children and their families in the best possible way, Ademar raises funds to buy teaching materials, pay the psychologists and allow the children to go on holiday in the best possible conditions. To support this great project, Musicpublique will donate the proceeds of the evening to the association.

The duo Vardan Hovanissian and Emre Gültekin embody the reconciliation between peoples through the melancholy but hopeful sounds of the Armenian duduk and the saz, an emblematic instrument of Turkey. Driven by a deeply roving spirit and a friendship that crosses borders, they weave together languages and styles through their music and instruments. In doing so, they draw on a wealth of traditional songs, bringing back to life some of the lost treasures of the past, and complement them with new compositions dealing with contemporary issues such as the plight of refugees.

• Vardan Hovanissian: duduk, shvi
• Emre Gültekin: baglama, vocals

With mandolin, accordion and trumpet, the young Walloon group Ekko offers a mixture of exciting new folk music. Ranging from jazz to Irish folk, the members of the group draw on a wealth of influences, including Belgian surrealism, and combine the infectious energy of a folk group with the sharp improvisational skills of the better jazz musicians. The evening of 11 May is particularly close to their hearts, and frontman Lorcan and his brother are well known to ADEMAR. They have been lucky enough to be supported in their health problems and have also been helped by the association in the realisation of their projects. Participating in this concert is a great way to recognise the value of sharing and we are proud to welcome them in this context.

• Lorcan Fahy : mandolin
• Pablo Golder : accordion
• Antoine Dawans : trumpet