SHMF — Sona Jobarteh in Kiel

Sona Jobarteh — A Pioneer

Sona Jobarteh comes from one of West Africa's four most important Griot families and is the first professional virtuoso of the Kora — the 21-string bridge harp, which was exclusively played by male musicians until the 20th century. With her music, she combines the oral storytelling tradition of the West African Griots with modern sound elements — she sings in Mandinka and English, and her compositions merge traditional modes with contemporary songwriter aesthetics.

The Krusenkoppel Open-Air Stage

The Freilichtbühne Krusenkoppel is Kiel's most traditional open-air stage — located on Düsternbrooker Weg in the inner-city harbor area. The natural amphitheater seats around 1,500 spectators and offers the ideal atmosphere for the sound world of a kora under the open sky. The venue was built in 1936 as part of Kiel's city forest concept and was extensively renovated in 2018.

As Part of SHMF 2026

The Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival is one of Europe's largest classical music festivals and takes place from July 4 to August 30, 2026, at over 200 venues in Schleswig-Holstein. Sona Jobarteh's concert is part of the World Music focus, which shapes the festival alongside classical, chamber music, and grand symphony concerts. On July 24, 2026, as a Gambian artist, she will also open the Werftsommer (Shipyard Summer) at the Lübeck shipyard — a classic SHMF format featuring concerts in unusual industrial settings.

The Kora — African String Instrument

The Kora is one of the world's most extraordinary string instruments: it combines the 21 strings of a harp with the resonance of a gourd and the mechanics of a lute. Its sound is bright, percussive, and melodic all at once — perfectly suited for the oral storytelling tradition of the West African Griots, who pass down family histories, praises, and reflections from generation to generation.

In the Kiel Region

Kiel is the state capital of Schleswig-Holstein and, with around 247,000 inhabitants, the largest city in the federal state. The Krusenkoppel open-air stage is located in the Düsternbrook district, in close proximity to the Kiel Fjord — one of the most prominent locations for summer open-air events in Northern Germany.