OFF-Fest was established in 2002 as a second festival coming out of the event with a much longer tradition: Skopje Jazz Festival (30 years). The idea was to move the world music from the jazz festival and to create another important festival in a different period and with a wider music orientation. It was a natural decision to start this festival in the decade of full globalization and fast growing creativity and the awareness of the so called world music. It presents the variety of music from all continents, focusing on different categories of world music: traditional, ethno, folk, roots, to urban, and more contemporary and experimental musical styles. A lot of renowned artist from all over the world performed throughout OFF-Fest's history.
The 11th edition of OFF-Fest will take place from June 1-5 with a line-up including: famous Cuban orchestra Juan de Marcos Afro-Cuban All Stars, enchanting Turkish duo Erkan Ogur/Derya Turkan, Macedonian music master Dragan Dautovski with his quartet, Stereolab's chanteuse Laetitia Sadier, American post-rock pioneers Tortoise, the rocking Tuaregs - Tamikrest and one of the leading music export from Macedonia Toni Kitanovski & Cherkezi Orchestra, introducing their new project "Shukar".
OFF-Fest is a member of European Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals.
