From August 30th to September 1st, the 12th edition of Jazz in the Park took place in the beautiful Ethnographic Park in Cluj-Napoca! As soon as you passed through the festival gates, the first ancient houses came into view, and it felt like time stood still. It was hard to believe you were only 15 minutes from the bustling center of Cluj-Napoca. Two large stages and three smaller ones, integrated into the park’s picturesque landscape, hosted over 30 exceptional concerts and musical moments.
The festival opened its doors on Friday afternoon with Oreglo welcoming guests on the stage near the entrance. While waiting for Postmodern Jukebox to take the stage, the audience enjoyed a performance by virtuoso Polish bassist Kinga Glyk, followed by Norzeatic & Quinta Spartă, who created such an incredible vibe that the crowd remained glued to the stage, despite an unexpected summer rain. On Saturday, Azerbaijani pianist Isfar Sarabski gained hundreds of new fans with a mesmerizing concert, and the evening was closed with emotion by the legendary band Cymande, performing for the first time in Romania after more than 50 years of making music. On Sunday, attention shifted to Tigran Hamasyan and Avishai Cohen, who vied for the unofficial title of “crowd favorite” at this year’s edition.
The more than 19,000 festival-goers were treated not only to outstanding concerts but also to a festival filled with unique activities. One of the highlights was the hot air balloon, offering stunning views of half the city of Cluj-Napoca. The traditional vinyl fair was a paradise for music lovers, with hundreds of records finding new homes. The wine courtyard was constantly packed with people taking part in wine tastings and gourmet experiences, while the percussion workshops were always filled to capacity.
People of all ages were eager to try their hand at drumming or keeping the beat on African drums. One of the festival’s surprises was a workshop where attendees could create and personalize their own… wooden cutting boards! But perhaps the most remarkable thing about the festival was the overall atmosphere. The space was spacious and airy, and despite the large turnout, it never felt crowded, even as the festival neared its self-imposed capacity limit.
The audience participated with open hearts, eager to experience everything the organizers had prepared. There was a palpable sense of positive energy, with everyone wishing for things to go smoothly. The festival came across as both professional and mature. It was undoubtedly the best edition yet.
Ibrahim Maalouf is coming to Jazz in the Park 2025!
Next year, Jazz in the Park will take place from June 6-8, once again in the Ethnographic Park, and the organizers have already announced the first headliner—none other than the famous French trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf! Tickets for next year’s edition are now available at a special price of 350 lei.
Jazz in the Park is proudly supported by BRD – Groupe Société Générale and DIGI.
