This year is packed with milestones for the global Ethno family — and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate with you! Here are three big birthdays lighting up the Ethnoverse:

80 Years of JMI

Founded in 1945, Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI) has spent eight decades bringing young people together through music. From post-war Europe to a global network of music programs, JMI continues to empower youth and foster peace through music.

35 Years of Ethno

From its humble beginnings in Falun, Sweden in 1990, Ethno has grown into a truly global movement, now active in over 40 countries. That’s 35 years of shared tunes, unforgettable jams, and lifelong friendships. To celebrate, we’re sharing a picture of the original Ethno flyer from the very first edition!

20 Years of Ethno Croatia

Ethno Croatia has been a hub for intercultural exchange since 2000. We spoke with Lucija Maroević, Project Coordinator and Resident Mentor, about the program’s journey, memories, and hopes for the future.

The 20th anniversary reflects a milestone of preserving traditional music and intangible cultural heritage. “Twenty years of Ethno Croatia means hundreds of people have successfully preserved their own and others’ heritage — a huge honor,” Lucija says. The complete Q&A is available online for those who want to dive deeper into the program’s history, memories, and future hopes.

With milestones like these, the global Ethno family continues to thrive, connecting young musicians worldwide and celebrating the timeless power of music. Here’s to the next decades of creativity, exchange, and shared harmony!