Fieldwork, Knowledge & Publications

BALKAN MUSIC ACADEMY
Gundula's Field Work Travels -
Audio Productions - Writings & Publications -

TRAVEL & FIELDWORK

GUNDULA'S GREAT EURASIAN ROAM: July '26 - Jan '27

In my campervan Ludwig VAN Beethoven through Europe

and the Balkans - lets see how far I get...

Gundula's Great Eurasian Roam Map Updates

What a whirlwind this Eurasian Roam has been so far! Ludwig VAN Beethoven and I have officially checked off 6 countries, 3 majestic mountains, 2 roaring waterfalls, and countless crystal-clear alpine lakes with the freshest water you can possibly imagine. After braving far too many miles of motorway, dodging tolls, and taking in some of the most stunning, jaw-dropping views imaginable, we have officially made our way down the gorgeous Adriatic coast into Croatia! I might be f

Escape to Cetinje: Mountain Passes, Devout Disciples & Cultural Gems on Gundula's Great Eurasian Roam 🚐💨

Next, I thought I would spend a night in Budva, another slightly larger town along the coast. It promised to host local town festivals featuring performances by KUD ensembles – traditional folk music and dance organisations (Kulturno-Umetničko Društvo), a wonderful cultural legacy from Yugoslavian times that remains vibrant and thriving in many towns and cities today. 💃🎶 Now, if you think London is full of cars and heavy traffic, think again and double it! 🚘 Whilst Kotor w

Climbing Ancient Ruins and Hunting for Live Music in Kotor – Gundula's Great Eurasian Roam 🏰🎶

For today, I planned to climb up to the ancient fortress 🏰, which sits dramatically high on the mountain ⛰️. From below, it looks like a wild piece of architecture, with heavy stone walls clinging to the steep slope all the way up to the summit. Whilst the first few stages were well-paved and therefore frequented by far too many tourists, the crowds thinned out as the path grew steeper and more rugged. With every new section and viewpoint 🌅, the scenery became even more stu

Montenegro Magic in Kotor on Gundula’s Great Eurasian Roam 🚐✨

I was thrilled to cross into Montenegro, the second unfamiliar country on my Great Eurasian Roam 🇲🇪. A former Yugoslav nation in the Balkans, it is known in the West by its Italian name—a reminder of Venetian rule during the Middle Ages. In its own language, it is called Crna Gora (Црна Гора), which translates to "Black Mountain" after the dense, dark pine forests cloaking Mount Lovćen 🌲. I was quite surprised to learn that while the country sits firmly in the Balkans, its

Croatia

Whilst crossing from Austria into Slovenia felt like practically nothing, crossing the border into Croatia was a whole different story! Although still within the EU - so no passport controls, hooray! 🙌 - everything shifted immediately: suddenly the motorways got proper bumpy, and there was rubbish scattered everywhere, especially in beautiful nature places... 🗑️🚯 On the bright side, the music here is so much more to my liking! ❤️🎶 I was super lucky to find a gorgeous lit

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When Locked Down, we can Travel the World

A musical cyber travel from Hungary to Macedonia in 2020

More Magic from Macedonia - 2016-2018:

Summer, winter, music and research

Discover Šuto Orizari in 2016

The Romany towen outside Skopije with Gypsy Romany culture from Aprils Fools Day to weddings.

Magic Balkan Travel 2015

Follow me from Bulgaria to Albania - lots of new territory and music to discover

Magic Travel 2014

Follow my culture trip from Vienna to the heart of Romania

GUNDULA'S AUDIO PRODUCTIONS

THE DEVILS'S LENTIL SOUP

Album by Tatcho Drom, produced by Magic Violin - MORE INFO

WITH APFELSTRUDEL & TURKISH COFFEE

EP by the Magic Violin Trio, produced by Magic Violin - MORE INFO

GUNDULA'S WRITINGS & PUBLICATIONS

Gypsy Music Collection - book & mp3 download:

64/61 pieces from Eastern Europe and the Balkans, collected and notated by Gundula Stojanova Gruen - book with sheet music and audio download - MORE INFO HERE

Balkan Music from the Danube with Ottoman Influences - book & mp3 download:

29 pieces from the the origin to the black sea, collected, arranged and notated by Gundula - MORE INFO HERE

Understanding Čoček:

An Historical, Musical and Sociological Exploration.
MA Dissertation by Gundula Stojanova Gruen, August 2018

Female Musicians in Šuto Orizari:

Essay by Gundula Stojanova Gruen, May 2017

BALKAN MUSIC ACADEMY Gundula's Field Work Travels - Audio Productions - Writings & Publications -