We are over the moon to welcome Mats Edén to our humble home and city all the way from Värmland, Sweden, a legendary, mesmerising musical aficionado.

Mats is a violin (multiple kinds!) and accordion player and composer, his music is rooted in the folk music from the region of Värmland, bordering Norway.

He studied composition at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo from 1983 to 1987, and he is a multiple award winning musician.

He plays in the folk band Groupa, who have been creating delightful harmonies for 40+ years!

Since 2009 he has been a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. From July 2024 he was promoted to professor of folk music at the Malmö Academy of Music at Lund University.

In addition to honouring his Swedish folk roots he recorded a duo with Stefan Östersjö in 2020 their album Wind, Water, String, Bow which was nominated to the Manifest gala in the experimental section.

Supporting Mats, we are very pleased to welcome a breathtaking Naarm-based musical trio with Brazilian roots, strings, rhythm and vibrance, Sophie, Olivia and Miguel.

There will be hot veggie soup, bread, some cake and drink to enjoy during the intermission.

Our musicians will be playing to raise much needed funds for two families in Gaza who are trying to survive the genocide.

It feels so impossible to help our friends in Gaza, by coming together in solidarity, listening to some soul-filled music and eating some warm food we are stronger and can achieve more, it will give our friends hope AND money. In coming together we lift each other up and can come up with more ideas, schemes and plans to help!

We will be supporting these two families to buy food and medicine, and any other day-to-day survival items available on the incredibly scarce market.

Family 1. Mera, her husband and six kids (Mohammed, Besan, Mohammed, Nada, Kareem, Sela, Mela). Like many their home was completely destroyed in bombing attacks, for a while they were staying at Mera’s mum’s home which was only damaged a little, but the situation became too dangerous and they had to move. They have been tent hopping, Mera and her youngest daughter (2 years old) suffer from Asthma and are constantly struggling in the dusty environment, desperately longing for the walls of a home, they are constantly redirected, and fleeing military attacks and bombs. They have lost hope of a life in Gaza and wish to leave, but it it almost impossible. One of her daughters was recently hit with shrapnel waiting in a line for food on her birthday.

Family 2.

Omar and his siblings in Gaza. Living in Khan Yunis, Gaza they have since been displaced over and over and currently residing in a makeshift tent in Mawasi Khan Yunis.

Omar's mother shares the message below:

"Salam Alaykom (Peace be with you), I am your sister in Islam and humanity, Umm Omar from Khan Yunis Gaza but currently displaced and living in a tent in Mawasi Khan Yunis. I ask the people of conscience and good will to help me and stand with me. Wallah (I swear) the situation is very very very difficult. Everything is expensive and there is nothing available. Only Allah knows how difficult the situation is and we cannot afford anything.

May Allah reward you. May Allah protect your homes. Please stand with us. Please help us for the sake of humanity and Allah. For the sake of my poor kids. We don't have flour, food or water. May Allah reward you. Please stand with us for the sake of the kids. May Allah protect you and your families."

Please come! Bring your friends :)