Rare visit by master throat singers from Tuva: Performances and exclusive workshops in the Netherlands after Europe’s first Throat Singing Festival

This summer, four renowned throat singers and musicians from Tuva (southern Siberia) will travel to Europe to take part in Echoes of the Steppe – the first festival in Europe fully dedicated to throat singing. The event will take place on August 29 & 30 in the medieval town of Romainmôtier, Switzerland, and will feature live concerts, workshops, and the first-ever European Throat Singing Competition.

Following their participation in Switzerland, the four musicians will continue their journey to the Netherlands, where they will give rare live performances and two exclusive throat singing workshops. Opportunities to witness such a collective of high-level Tuvan throat singers in Europe are extremely rare – and this is a unique chance to experience their powerful music right here in the Netherlands.

The Artists

Igor Koshkendey
One of Tuva’s most respected cultural ambassadors, Igor Koshkendey has won the Grand Prix of the International Throat Singing Competition three times and received a Latin Grammy for his work. As a master of multiple throat singing styles, he now directs the Tuvan National Cultural Center in Kyzyl and will serve as an official jury member during the competition in Switzerland.

Koshkendey Choldug
Son of Igor Koshkendey, Choldug is widely considered one of the most talented young throat singers in Tuva. He has already received multiple awards for his vocal abilities and is seen as a rising star in the world of traditional music.

Damdyn Dalai
A standout among the new generation of Tuvan throat singers, Dalai has performed at many national and international festivals. In 2018, he won the Grand Prix at the Khoomei Contest of the Symposium. He is a graduate of Tuvan State University and has performed with the student ensemble “Dyngylday.”

Dongak Naidan
An accomplished throat singer and musician, Naidan is known for his powerful voice and deep musical knowledge. He has also won several awards for his performances.

Together, these four musicians form a dynamic ensemble, performing with traditional instruments such as the doshpuluur (three-stringed lute), igil (two-stringed fiddle), and jaw harp, with a strong focus on the mesmerizing techniques of Tuvan throat singing.

Performances & Workshops in the Netherlands

After their performances and workshops at Echoes of the Steppe in Switzerland, the ensemble will travel to the Netherlands for an exclusive visit. They will give live concerts at venues in the Netherlands (to be announced shortly) and offer two in-depth throat singing workshops at Altai Yurt in Wedde, East Groningen.

These workshops offer a rare opportunity to learn directly from not one, but four professional Tuvan throat singers. Participants will gain hands-on experience with traditional techniques like Khoomei, Sygyt, and Kargyraa, while also learning about Tuvan musical traditions and instruments.

• Concert dates & locations: To be announced soon
• ‍Workshop location: Altai Yurt, Wedde (Groningen) (Website)‍
• Workshop dates: To be announced soon‍