More than 900 people attended the first two days of the ME_MMIX festival, which began this weekend, on November 15 and 16, at Can Balaguer (Palma). The seventh edition of the event opened with a programme focused on electronic music, mixed forms, and hybridisations with other disciplines such as film, video art, and sound performance.

Opening screening and tribute to Pierre Boulez

Friday’s session opened with the screening of the documentary Notations, an audiovisual work dedicated to the figure of composer Pierre Boulez. The film was presented by photographer Marion Kalter, co-author of the project together with Andreas Brehmer. Over a career spanning more than fifty years, Kalter has documented international cultural icons such as Susan Sontag, Simone de Beauvoir, Marguerite Duras, and Éric Rohmer.

During the presentation, Kalter shared her personal perspective on Boulez, coinciding with the centenary of his birth. The French musician is considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.

Live music and sound experimentation

The first day also featured a tribute to Italian composer Luciano Berio, performed by clarinettist Rafel Caldentey. Violinist Gregor Dierck, the group Alter Face, and an electroacoustic session led by Sebastian Shottke, with participation from members of the University Choir, completed the evening programme.

The following day, Saturday, the festival offered a family-friendly event in the morning with an interactive concert by Zulu Zulu. In the evening, various local artists and ensembles, such as Geometrical Sardine, K12 and Ensemble TEC, presented their creations. The day concluded with another electroacoustic session featuring the premiere of Dialectes Marins, a work by Joan Lluís Escrivà.

Collective reflection in the festival’s first podcast

Alongside the performances, the first episode of PPODCAST ME_MMIX was recorded. Under the title From Inclusion to Co-responsibility, the session was moderated by Margalida Mateu and featured Tina Codina, Miguel Eek, Belén Martínez, and Maria Jesús Riera. The podcast addressed topics related to cultural management and community participation.

Upcoming events

The festival will continue on Wednesday with another standout activity: the screening of three Buster Keaton short films at the Teatre Principal de Palma, accompanied by live music performed by composer Martin Matalon. The event includes the participation of the Multilatérale collective, renowned for its work at the intersection of experimental music and performing arts such as theatre, dance, literature, and digital arts.