The Pavillon in Hannover was one of the 1st places in Germany which presented music from the Global south. Piranha Records director Christoph Borkowsky remembers: “When I came back from Africa there was no music from this part of the world around. Then the Pavillon started their Afrikanischen Nächte and when they staged Youssou N’Dour in 1984 it became a turning point for me. Why not to diy was the question, and Piranha Kultur was the answer.”

With the 21st edition of their beautiful Masala festival the Pavillon now proves that it never gave up the fight. It is one of the good reasons why Hannover was selected by UNESCO to become a Creative City of Music.

On Friday 25 May the Masala birthday party is starting with a double concert of the Afrobeat legend Tony Allen from Nigeria and Highlife inventor Pat Thomas from Ghana, one of the top stars of the WOMEX showcase festival 2015. Christoph Borkowsky is invited to speak before in honour of the event and the makers & shakers behind it.

© photo credits: Masala Festival

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