The few weeks we spent in Madagascar are only the beginning of our work. The vast amount of knowledge and material we have gathered during the expedition begs to be shared, both in the scientific community and as part of our popularising activities.

In the photo: Marcel Frąckowiak (UWr), Dr Jakub Kopaniecki (UAM) and editor Klaudia Sobolewska in the studio of Academic Radio LUZ in Wrocław.

Ethnomusicologists on air…

On 15 August 2024, Dr Łukasz Smoluch and Dr Jakub Kopaniecki from Adam Mickiewicz University were guests on Radio Poznań in the programme ‘Spis Treści’ [Table of Contents”. We would like to thank Eliza Hajdenrajch for the invitation and the opportunity to share with listeners the first reflections from our expedition.

On 26 August 2024, MA Joanna Kwapień (UWr) visited Academic Radio LUZ in Wrocław. During the morning programme ‘Audiostarter’, hosted by Michał Sember, she talked about her musicological journey in Madagascar, sharing not only exotic curiosities, but also the behind-the-scenes work of an ethnomusicologist in the field.

However, this is not the end of our visits to LUZ Academic Radio! On 4 December 2024, Marcel Frąckowiak (UWr) and Dr Jakub Kopaniecki talked to Klaudia Sobolewska during the programme ‘Na Synapsach’ [On Synapses]. A surprise for the listeners was a valiha, a Malagasy zither, which Marcel played during the broadcast. And if you didn’t switch on your receivers at the time, you can not only catch up with the meeting on Radio LUZ, but actually find out a lot more! Just turn on the podcast below to immerse yourself in over an hour of stories about Madagascar, African musical culture and the challenges facing contemporary ethnomusicology. The podcast was recorded in Polish.

…and on paper

However, there is no science without scientific publications. The 25th volume of the journal Interdisciplinary Studies in Musicology, devoted entirely to our expedition to Madagascar, is in preparation. In it, you will read English-language articles by members of the expedition.

The latest issue of ‘Pismo Folkowe’ [Folk Magazine] is also available now, featuring not only an extensive interview with Dr Łukasz Smoluch, but also a photo of him on the cover! We also recommend the ‘Uchem Smolucha’ [With Smoluch’s Ear] Facebook page, full of knowledge and ethnomusicological titbits, always with a pinch of good humour.

Equally fresh is the new issue of ‘Ruch Muzyczny’ [Musical Movement], with an article by Joanna Kwapień, MA, accompanied by beautiful photographs from Madagascar. You can buy the magazine in good press shops or online. We recommend the magazine and invite you to follow us on Instagram @jak_bylo, run by Joanna.

And while we are talking about beautiful photographs, it is also worth mentioning the exhibition ‘Madagascar through the lens of ethnomusicologists. From the voice of ancestors to the singing of lemurs’, which was on show in the library of the UAM’s Collegium Historicum until 17 January. We invite you to watch a photo-report from the opening of the exhibition, which was attended by Dr Łukasz Smoluch, Dr Jakub Kopaniecki, Dr Piotr Podlipniak, Professor of the Adam Mickiewicz University, Director of the Institute of Musicology at the Adam Mickiewicz University, and representatives of the dean’s authorities of the Faculty of Arts at the Adam Mickiewicz University.