A view of Thessaloniki

Having spent three years in Copenhagen, Denmark, WOMEX has announced it will be traveling south to Thessaloniki, Greece for its 2012 conference. The announcement comes as a bit of a surprise, as WOMEX has never before taken place in Southeastern Europe. Thessaloniki is a hotbed for Greek culture, it’s one of Europe’s oldest cities (with a 2300-year history) and is located in the central region of the Balkan peninsula. Thessaloniki was once the co-capital of the Byzantine Empire and has always been an economic juggernaut in the region. Thessaloniki is home to Europe’s oldest mainland population of Jews, a population that was decimated by 96% after the Holocaust — a community of 1,200 still remain in Thessaloniki. Clearly, Thessaloniki is a town teaming with history and culture, a more-than-suitable location for next years WOMEX conference. In addition, WOMEX 2012 will be taking place one week earlier than usual; from October 17 through 21, 2012. Further details on the new WOMEX host city will be revealed at the WOMEX Press Conference at Forum Copenhagen during WOMEX, on Saturday afternoon, October 29, 2011.