This year’s world music awards RUTH go to:
 
Main award: Ringsgwandl
Dr. Georg Ringswandl is an artistic chameleon from Bavaria. His current incarnation is that of a singer/songwriter who mixes his roots and routes from blues to Bavarian trad. into a mainly acoustic sound. Outsiders will never properly understand Bavarian attitudes and behaviours. Ringsgwandl gives it another try. Well done.
 
Advancement award: Banda Internationale
Banda Comunale were among the very first to protest nationalistic tendencies in their hometown of Dresden. With musicians from Syria, Burkina Faso and other countries they more than doubled their number and turned into Banda Internationale. New folk music for the home country.
 
Honorary award: Prof. Max Peter Baumann
For the first time, this award goes to a representative of the academic world. Max Peter Baumann was born in Switzerland but developed his professional career in Germany. There and abroad he has left clear marks in research and teaching. Max Peter Baumann is an ethnomusicologist with world status.
 
Festival award: Alma
This Austrian quintet performs Alpine fiddle music with an interesting new stroke. Their backgrounds in jazz, traditional and classical music are starting points for exciting excursions into new musical territories. Musica con alma y vida, music with heart and soul.
 
 
The 2017 jury
Tiago de Oliveira Pinto (chair, University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar)
Simone Dake (Rudolstadt-Festival)
Ulrich Doberenz (Rudolstadt-Festival)
Peter Eichler (MDR)
Gereon Schoplick (Creole)