By Asen Nedyalkov
For those who visit the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) for the first time, the experience can turn into a cultural shock that lasts for a long time. Although pre-prepared with enough information, during my first visit of this cultural event I was unable to withstand the size and impetus of the festival. Within 5 days, Amsterdam becomes a huge fun playground, where the only rules are the limits of human creativity.
The ADE festival focuses on electronic music and its influence on other cultural spheres. Interviews with artists, master classes with proven names on the world stage, new audiovisual technologies, discussions on the vast possibilities of the acoustics, all sorts of “gadgets” and a lot more expect those who dare to get lost in the streets of Amsterdam, only to find what the future can bring. Because the size of this event undoubtedly transforms the world, as we know it, into an endless tale of emotion and music. I have visited various interesting places around the world, but I have never felt so powerless about the diversity of a cultural event.
When I first visited back in 2017, gathering point of the festival is considered to be the ADE Hangout place in the transformed for the occasion theatre De Brakke Grond, located one minute from The Dam Square – the place full of life in Amsterdam. Here were the ADE panel halls, where all the conferences, sound laboratories, and workshops with names like Dave Clarke, Reinier Zonneveld, Joris Voorn, Nina Kravitz, Surgeon, Anthony Rother… Along with this stream of information, every visitor had the chance to test the latest technology hits from manufactures such as Roland, Native Instruments, Pioneer, Novation, Ableton and many others.
The next 50 pages would not have been sufficient to describe everything inspiring which I touched these days. One of the turning points of the whole trip happened on Friday when I was at a live performance of the gold of Bulgarian electronic music – KiNK, whom we’ve interviewed right here on Elysium Magazine, who tested new sample players from Pioneer.
Perhaps the more correct word in this case would not have been testing, but it was more demonstrating to Pioneer how to use their own gear. Strahil Velchev is probably the most innovative figure in the whole history of Bulgarian electronic music, but his story will be told in the future due to the special attention that it requires. In the moments when I listened to KiNK, I felt proud of the huge influence a Bulgarian has on world culture. At times like these, I strongly believe in the immense opportunities of International Business Alliance Bulgaria, whose purpose is precisely to connect and promote Bulgarian talents and business opportunities.
The real magic of the Amsterdam Dance Event was happening beyond the walls of De Brakke Grond. Every corner of the city has been turned into a small idyll. Turning to a small street you never know what awaits you – a favorite artist in a plate shop, an improvised party at a city square – behind every corner there is a little musical surprise waiting to be found. This event is a true example of the power of a society that is subject to a common goal.
Starting from the Central Station, reaching the districts of Amsterdam, various corners were dyed yellow, symbolising that ADE had reached this threshold. This cultural event blurs the boundaries between business and fun, involving everyone on its way, giving one of the strongest examples I know about the fact that together we have better fun and together we are progressing more easily.
The next ADE festival will take place from 22 Oct 2025 – Sun, 26 Oct 2025
Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) also features R&B programming, including the Encore: ADE Special and events like SCAMsterdam.
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