Goran Bregović at wROCK for Freedom: the Wedding and Funeral Orchestra and Balkan hits

The Balkans' best-known musician, Polish audience favourite Goran Bregović, will headline the next wROCK for Freedom, traditionally held at the legendary bus depot on ul. Grabiszyńska, where Wrocław's Solidarity movement was born in August 1980.

On 31 August, Goran Bregović and his now-famous Wedding and Funeral Orchestra will present Polish audiences with his greatest hits, familiar here: Kalashnikov, Ederlezi, Gas, Gas, Gas and Mesecina, plus songs from his latest album, Alkohol.

The incredible energy running through the composer's work wins him legions of fans, makes heads spin and sweeps people into dancing. Goran Bregović's performances with his Wedding and Funeral Orchestra are intense, exotic spectacles that delight audiences of every age.

This will be a truly explosive mixture of cultures and nations. Goran Bregović’s music synthesises Romani rhythms and European chords. Its characteristic features are a memorable, warm brass-band sound and traditional multipart singing. The composer and guitarist openly admits his love of rock ’n’ roll, conducting the orchestra himself while playing electric guitar and giving the dancing audience no chance to catch their breath. Bregović’s work is unique, openly drawing on Slavic tradition. No other composer would dare combine Bulgarian brass polyphony with pop songs.

The artist is distinguished by his cosmopolitan outlook and ability to combine many musical genres. He found a common language with another Sarajevo resident, the outstanding director Emir Kusturica. Their collaboration produced the remarkable, unsettling films Czas Cyganów, Arizona Dream and Underground. For the last film’s music, Bregović received the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1995. It was his second distinction. A year earlier, he received an award for the masterful music for Królowa Margot.

Goran Bregović is the Balkans' most famous musician. The son of a Serbian mother and Croatian father perfectly expresses the emotions stirring the region's melting pot. An innate sense of rhythm and stage harmony makes his concerts among the most dazzling, attractive spectacles.

Alongside Goran Bregović and his orchestra, wROCK for Freedom 2013 will feature Polish bands combining traditional folk sounds with contemporary music. Their names will be announced soon.