IFTO — International Festival of Tamburica Orchestras
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IFTO — the International Festival of Tamburica Orchestras — has been Bijelo Polje's signature summer event since 2003, and its 22nd edition ran on 29 and 30 July 2025. Each late July, the city square becomes the region's premier stage for the tamburica, the long-necked string instrument at the heart of Pannonian and Balkan folk music.
Eight or more of the best tamburica orchestras from Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro share the open-air stage over two main evenings, and guest stars regularly join them — the 2024 edition featured the vocal group The Frajle. The shimmering, layered sound of massed tamburicas filling a summer square is the festival's calling card.
IFTO also warms up long before the main nights: side programmes begin around 23 July, with evenings of poetry and song spreading the festival mood through the town during the preceding week.
Both main concert evenings on the city square are free, as are the side events — simply turn up, find a spot on the square and let the orchestras do the rest. It is the easiest introduction to one of the Balkans' most beloved musical traditions.
8+ orchestras, four countries
The best tamburica ensembles from Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro share one open-air stage.
A tradition since 2003
Over two decades of editions have made IFTO the region's premier tamburica gathering — the 22nd ran in 2025.
Guest stars
Headliners raise the temperature of the main nights; The Frajle starred in 2024.
A week of warm-up
Poetry and song evenings begin around 23 July, spreading the festival through Bijelo Polje before the main concerts.
Free on the square
Both main evenings and all side programmes are free to attend.
From 23 July
Side programmes — evenings of poetry and song around town
Main nights, two evenings
8+ tamburica orchestras from Croatia, Serbia, BiH and Montenegro on the city square
Guest stars
Headline guest performers traditionally join the orchestras on the main nights
City square, Bijelo Polje
