Humanity is quietly deciding its future.

As the world stands on the brink of widespread artificial intelligence dominance, which could transform societal structures, and as scientists urgently warn that we are nearing the “red line” beyond which climate damage will be irreversible, global challenges loom larger than ever. With the world population surpassing 8 billion and the Doomsday Clock ticking perilously close to midnight, it is clear that any moment could bring changes to our future and daily lives. How do we perceive these threats and the future of humanity? How do we respond, and why, despite understanding the scale of these dangers, do we struggle to unite in saving the world?

This year’s “Music Autumn” festival takes an anthropological look at issues affecting the entire world or specific regions—from the impact of consumerism on the environment to the rising global population, from our relationship with virtual reality to survival strategies. How do these themes resonate in the works of composers, in the world of music, and in our understanding of daily life?

The festival also establishes a new element this year—an international program. It will offer a valuable platform for the exchange of ideas and their global contextualization: showcasing international creators, performers, and joint projects that will broaden the spectrum of relevant themes, approaches, and perceptions. This will allow us to listen even more closely to the musical reflection of global threats and possible futures for humanity.