Artists
The HUMANS Festival brings to Cluj exceptional artists from around the world, musicians who define today’s international scene through refinement, depth, and an authentic artistic vision.
Among them are pianists such as Philippe Cassard, renowned for his landmark interpretations of the French repertoire, and Ricardo Castro, a multifaceted artist who combines a performing career with impactful educational projects.
Cellist Xavier Phillips is acclaimed for the authenticity and depth of his sound, while violist Juan-Miguel Hernandez is admired for his distinctive sound and openness to multiple musical genres.
Pianist Itamar Golan, one of the most sought-after chamber music partners of his generation, completes this remarkable artistic lineup.
Alongside these established musicians, the festival places a strong emphasis on the new generation: Romanian artists such as Valentin Șerban, Ștefan Cazacu, and Sabina Silaghi bring fresh energy and a rising artistic voice.
Together, these artists create not just concerts, but living experiences.
Piano | France
Cello | France
Piano | Brazil
Viola | Canada
Violin | France
Piano | Israel
Cello | Romania
Violin | Romania
About us
HUMANS is an international classical music festival founded on the profound conviction of David Grimal - its artistic director, internationally renowned violinist, and visionary cultural leader - that beyond the accelerating pace of technology, beyond performance and efficiency, what truly defines us as human beings is the soul, and music is the purest expression of this inner core. A universal language that transcends words, borders, and eras, classical music remains one of the highest forms of dialogue between people.
Built around this belief, HUMANS creates a privileged space for encounter: between established artists and young musicians, between the legacy of tradition and the sensibilities of the present, between interpretative excellence and the authenticity of emotion.
The festival takes place in Cluj-Napoca, a city with a well-defined cultural and academic identity, where diversity, dialogue, and a European spirit are integral to everyday life.
HUMANS is not simply a sequence of concerts, but a manifesto for connection, education, and meaning. A place where music reminds us that, before anything else, we are human.