Public Story
A man with a golden tooth
Summary
Since 1961, a small and sleepy town of Guča has been a host to an annual trumpet competition. A dozen of brass bands compete for the title of the best band and a prize of golden trumpet. Over the years, the festival became increasingly popular - not only in Serbia, but also abroad.
During the festival, the locals open their doors and gardens to visitors, and people pitch their tents and campers wherever they can find space. The brass bands play in the streets from dawn till late night, so it feels like the music never stops - well, at least as long as someone is putting banknotes in the trumpets and tubas.
The trumpet has a rich history in Serbia and is a cornerstone of the country's national identity; records show that trumpeters and drummers have been a part of the Serbian army since the Middle Ages. Most trumpeters are not formally trained and learn to play the instruments by ear, often improvising when performing for the audience. Brass orchestras have long provided the soundtrack for major life events, from weddings and baptisms to funerals.
It's nearly impossible not to dance to the energetic rhythms of Balkan brass. On the hot summer days of the festival, people seek refuge in the cool waters of the Bjelica river that flows through Guča. Whole hogs are roasted over flames, filling the air with the aroma of sizzling meat, and shots of rakija warm everyone's hearts. In a country with a tumultuous past and nationalistic sentiments, the Guča festival serves as a unifying force, bringing people together through the frenzied sounds of the Balkan trumpet.
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