The Eastern Neighbours Film Festival welcomes special musical guests each year to enrich our program. For this 16th edition, we’re thrilled to present two talented young musicians: guitarist Antonio Peršak (CR) and violinist İdil Yunkuş (TR). Together, they will perform a traditional Balkan dance and folk song, highlighting the beauty of this music through the captivating sounds of guitar and violin.

A versatile musician experienced in a wide range of musical styles, Antonio Persak, started playing classical guitar at 7. He studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Conservatory in the Hague, where he graduated with distinction for performing and creating a contemporary program. Although his work is very much focused on the classical guitar, he also performs on the electric guitar, the mandolin and since recently on the theorbo. He is a member of the “Spaceship” ensemble, which is a contemporary group with a special affinity for science. He appeared on NPO4 and Radio West as a soloist and ensemble member. 

İdil Yunkuş started violin lessons at 5 with her father Selahattin Yunkus. She later studied at the Mersin University State, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, and the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. From 2014 to 2022 she was a member of the DCSO (Dogus Children’s Symphony Orchestra) and the TUGFO (Turkish National Youth Philarmonic Orchestra). She also played as a concertmaster and since then she has developed a great passion for orchestral playing. In January 2023 she was the concertmaster at the winter project of the National Youth Orchestra. Idil is currently active as a chamber musician in the Kali Quartet and the Ensemble Orochi.

To wrap up the 16th Eastern Neighbours Film Festival edition, we will host a vibrant Closing Party on the final evening! Expect DJ music, and a true celebration of Balkan culture to end the festival on a high note. Do not miss it!

From 21:00 – 23:00h in the café at Filmhuis Den Haag.