A sonic journey through the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and emerging musical identities

On May 21, 2026, on the occasion of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, promoted by UNESCO, NUBRAS, the first album of original compositions by Nubras Ensemble, has been released. Eight voices, eight stories, one evolving musical organism: the string quartet led by Giulia Anita Bari and Carla Mulas González on violins, Igor Legari on double bass, and Rachel Blueberger on cello engages in dialogue with the powerful voice of Roxana Ene—a Romanian-born Italian artist of Romani heritage—the alto saxophone and ney of multi-instrumentalist Giorgio Gadotti, the accordion of Nino Conte, and the percussion of Giovanni Lo Cascio, a longstanding figure in the Italian world music scene. As in nature, where biodiversity creates strength and resilience, Nubras builds a soundscape in which differences do not merely coexist but are transformed, becoming living, shared material. In an era marked by the resurgence of nationalism and rigid identities, the ensemble embraces complexity: a musical space where diversity coexists, engages in dialogue, and finds mutual recognition without hierarchies. It is no coincidence that the album is released on May 21, a symbolic date that invites reflection on how cultural diversity represents a shared heritage and a fundamental resource for peace and development. The album features profound references to Romani culture, including two special tributes: Homage to Kurtov, dedicated to the Bulgarian zurna virtuoso Samir Kurtov, and Dzelem Dzelem, an arrangement of the anthem of the Roma and Sinti peoples.