Author page: Hona Festival

Poi – a type of juggling originating from the Maori tribe in New Zealand. Originally, it was a prop consisting of a cloth bag filled with sand or seeds, attached to the end of a string. Their main use was in training young warriors, which allowed them to gain dexterity, wrist flexibility and arm strength.…

Macramé is the art of crafting textiles with knots made by hand without the use of tools. It is an age old practice used to produce a variety of objects. From large scale objects such as curtains, wall hangings and hammocks to smaller objects such as belts, bags and jewellery. It is an art that…

The mandala, an ancient symbol traced back to cave walls, signifies a profound connection within various cultures and religions. From the Native American "sacred hoop" to the intricate Tibetan sand paintings, mandalas illustrate the beauty of wholeness and the impermanence of life. They embody the cyclical nature of the universe, resonating with our souls and…

In this workshop, Maja will guide you through exercises to help you learn rhythm patterns, explore basic polyrhythms, and understand odd time signatures. You'll learn how to incorporate these elements into your handpan playing, enhancing your musical expression.

In this workshop we’ll learn some bases about chords and how can we combine it to create some harmonic progressions. We’ll see an example of how to combine the harmony of two different Handpan scales as D kurd + F low pygmy.

Hey, this is Ibni! Join me for a handpan workshop where we'll elevate your playing skills together. We'll begin with essential hand stretches designed specifically for handpan players to enhance dexterity and prevent injuries. Explore the nuances of dynamics and participate in engaging call-and-response exercises to fine-tune your rhythmic precision. I'll share invaluable tips and…

In this workshop, Maja Wlazły will introduce you to the essentials of using a DAW, helping you kickstart your music production journey. You’ll explore the concept of live looping, the necessary gear, and  gain insights into Maja’s workflow.

George Christakis is a skilled handpan player, known for his expertise in traditional Greek rhythms and techniques. In his workshops, he shares his deep knowledge by demonstrating how to play rhythmic patterns from Greece on the handpan using finger techniques. His approach blends the rich musical traditions of Greece with the unique sounds of the…

Rhythm, melody and transitions are big topics. During this workshop I will share with you how I integrate some specific groove, the bases to incorporate a melody and how can we create transitions to make our music more interesting. We’ll experience it listening and with group dynamics.

Alexander Surya Deva has been teaching yoga since 1999. He is the first to bring the art of Gong & Sound Healing to Greece and has integrated it into the philosophy of yoga. He learned the art of Sound Healing at an Ashram in Bali in 1998 and completed his studies in Nepal in 2019…

Dauda Conteh hails from Sierra Leone in West Africa. From an early age he was a member of the National Dance Troupe of Sierra Leone, with which he has participated in festivals in Africa, Europe and Asia. He is a dancer (african, contemporary, afro-contemporary dance, acrobatics) and percussionist (djembe, dundun). In this workshop,…

Geo Christakis, a professional percussionist specializing in West African music, will lead a workshop focused on the djembe and dun duns. With years of experience in traditional African rhythms, Geo will guide participants through essential techniques, traditional rhythmic patterns, and the cultural stories behind the music.