Balkans in valley

Apr 19 2008 by nick lavigueur, Hudd Sat

MARSDEN Cuckoo Day is back for a 16th year next weekend – but this time with a Balkan twist.

The annual village festival, celebrating the start of spring, this year welcomes musicians and guests from around the former Eastern Bloc. Hailing from Serbia, Romania and Slovenia, gypsy folk group, Paprika Balkanicus will be breaking off from recording their new album in London to perform in the Colne Valley.

And organisers of Romania’s very own cuckoo day will be in town to learn about putting on a successful festival and to forge links for their 2009 launch in the hope that musicians and artists from England will attend.

Festivities kick-off at 7pm next Friday (Apr 25) with the legendary two-mile Cuckoo Walk, before feathers are ruffled with a night of folk music and specially brewed beer at the Riverhead Brewery Tap at 8.30pm.

Next Saturday’s events include, music, crafts, a children’s entertainer, morris and maypole dancing, circus skills, a display of classic motorcycles, and duck race. Cuckoo Day is rounded off on the Sunday with a service at Marsden United Church at 10.30am.

CONTACT: Call 01484-847016