The Visegrad Group, also called the Visegrad Four, or V4 is an alliance of four Central European states – Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic – for the purposes of furthering their European integration, as well as for advancing political, economic and energy cooperation with one another. The Group traces its origins to the summit meeting of leaders from Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland held in the Hungarian castle town of Visegrád on 15 February 1991. The name of the Group is derived, and the place of meeting selected, from a meeting of the Bohemian (Czech), Polish, and Hungarian rulers in Visegrád in 1335. Charles I of Hungary, Casimir III of Poland, and John of Bohemia agreed to create new commercial routes to bypass the staple port Vienna and obtain easier access to other European markets.

 

Miriam Rodriguez Brüllová is a graduate of the State Conservatory in Bratislava. She participated in several guitar competitions in Slovakia and abroad as well, winning major prizes and working with such world-renowned artists. She performed as a guitar soloist with various orchestras (Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester at such famous concert halls as Prague Rudolfinum, Berlin Konzerthaus, Seoul Art Center and others. Miriam has played in almost whole Europe, in South and North America, Africa and Asia. As a chamber music player she performs regularly with some great Slovak, Czech and Hungarian artists. Miriam is playing the guitar by world-known luthier Gernot Wagner.  

AcCello Duo is an instrument duo from Poland created in 2011 by an accordionist Konrad Merta and a cellist Piotr Gach. The musicians realize various artistic ideas from captivating performances of ethnic music as well popular music, moving own compositions to solemn musical projects fulfilled with ageless classical music. Their main achievements include winning: I Prize in XII International Light and Popular Music Accordion Competition ‘Concertina 2012’ in Giżycko, I Prize (classical music category) as well as II Prize (light music category) in XVII International Accordion Meetings ‘Sanok 2012’.

 

Dan Abissi is a Kenyan multitalented musician who began his musical journey at Starehe Boys. Within two years Abissi, was playing long pieces by Chopin, Liszt and Beethoven from memory. He sings and plays the trumpet, trombone and a piano. He graduated with a first class honors from Kenyatta University with Bachelor of Arts in Music. In 2013, Dan Abissi had the privilege of performing in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s inaugural ceremony at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. Dan Abissi is also a composer. He has composed music for the Safaricom International Jazz Festival Adverts and the Nestle Nido Product adverts for all French speaking African countries.