Merak Marching Band

Saturday will kick off with music from the Merak Collective, which will fill the downtown streets with the sounds of brass, percussion, and Balkan rhythms.

Before taking the stage for Balkan Block Party, the musicians will kick off the day with a street performance along Cours Louis Blanc. It’s a joyful and lively procession, designed to invite you to join in, let yourself be surprised around every corner, and gradually get into the festival spirit.
With its lively and generous energy, Merak brings the music right up close to passersby. People turn to look, their steps slow down, and smiles appear: the city awakens in a different way, carried by a breeze from the Balkans and the simple joy of being together.