Some of the programs of the Khamoro Festival in Prague 5.
- ROMSKÝ FESTIVAL KHAMORO. In: Praha 5. https://www.praha5.cz/udalosti/romsky-festival-khamoro/
Category Archives: Czech Republic
Online Racism
A discussion with a young 19 year old Romni and TikTok creator about facing online racism, on how young Roma people live in the Czech Republic and what the biggest prejudice about Roma are.
- Sarah bojuje proti rasismu TikTokem. Útoky se z ulic přelily v hejty na internetu, některé komentáře předáváme policii. In: Refresher. 21.05.2024. https://refresher.cz/159985-Sarah-bojuje-proti-rasismu-TikTokem-Utoky-se-z-ulic-prelily-v-hejty-na-internetu-nektere-komentare-predavame-policii
Kali Sara Festival
On Saturday, May 18, Letňany in Prague became the scene of the first ever Kali Sara Roma festival. The festival attracted hundreds of visitors and offered a rich program full of traditional Roma music, dances and culinary specialties.
- VIDEO: První ročník festivalu Kali Sara přilákal stovky návštěvníků. In: Romea. 20.05.2024. https://romea.cz/cz/kultura/video-prvni-rocnik-festivalu-kali-sara-prilakal-stovky-navstevniku
Vera Bila
The world-famous Romani singer Věra Bílá recently appeared on the iconic John Lennon wall in Kampa, Prague. This was done by the Roma artist Ladislav Mucha, who performs under the pseudonym Maxim Muchow. In a report for ROMEA TV, he drew a portrait of Věra Bílá on this iconic wall as a tribute to this Roma music legend.
- VIDEO: Legendární romská zpěvačka Věra Bílá na pražské zdi Johna Lennona díky romskému výtvarníkovi. In: Romea. 17.05.2024. https://romea.cz/cz/kultura/video-legendarni-romska-zpevacka-vera-bila-na-prazske-zdi-johna-lennona-diky-romskemu-vytvarnikovi
Lety
On Sunday, May 12, 2024, the memorial to the Roma Holocaust at the site of the concentration camp in Lety u Písek was opened to the public. Three decades of debates about the nature of the place, which used to be a pig farm, were thus concluded.
But the reality of the perpetrators was not acknowledged for a very long time. The participation of Czech gendarmes and camp commanders in the genocide of the Roma during the Second World War was denied throughout the forty years of communism.
The taboo was broken after the revolution by historian Ctibor Nečas and journalist Markus Pape, and courageous activists from the ranks of the Roma and Sinti also played their part. For example, Jan Hauer, Antonín Lagryn and Čeněk Růžička, mostly sons of Lety prisoners, who also told about the fates of their parents and their own for the Memory of the Nation.
- „Mordovali je Češi.“ Jak Romové vzpomínali na takzvaný cikánský tábor v Letech. In: Hidacipes. 18.05.2024. https://hlidacipes.org/mordovali-je-cesi-jak-romove-vzpominali-na-takzvany-cikansky-tabor-v-letech/
Czechia: Segregation
The latest Amnesty international report on Czechia highlights the still prevailing segregation of Roma children in schools in the country.
Bad.
- Nová zpráva Amnesty International si všímá segregace romských dětí v ČR. In: Radio Žurnal Rozhlas. 14.05.2024. https://radiozurnal.rozhlas.cz/nova-zprava-amnesty-international-si-vsima-segregace-romskych-deti-v-cr-9234358
Czechia: Mediation
A round table, attended by representatives of the police, as well as the local Roma and Ukrainian communities, together with the mayor Lukáš Seifert and the representative for the Roma minority Lucie Fuková, took place in the Knight’s Hall of the Vlašské dvor in Kutná Hora. The aim of the meeting was to calm the tense situation after the recent attack by a Ukrainian of a Rom between, which culminated in a Roma demonstration on Palackého náměstí with a parade on Masarykova Street.
- Vzájemné pochopení a dialog: Romové a Ukrajinci zasedli spolu ke kulatému stolu. In: Kutno Horsky / Denik. 15.05.2024. https://kutnohorsky.denik.cz/zpravy_region/kutna-hora-kulaty-stul-romove-ukrajinci-dialog-potycka-demonstrace.html
Czechia and Roma
According to social worker Jiřina Somsiová, the vast majority of the Roma are socially excluded in the Olomouc Region. Only the lucky few, who came to the Czech Republic immediately after the war, live in their own appartments. Those who immigrated later, typically from Slovakia, have no chance to find or rent normal housing and are therefore dependent on overcrowded hostels. Jiřina Somsiová, a field social worker with thirty years of experience is also the co-founder of the Community of Roma in Moravia.
- Romové nemají šanci bydlet jinde než na ubytovně. Platí i 20 tisíc, říká sociální pracovnice. In: Olomoucky Report. 13.05.2024. https://olomoucky.report.cz/spolecnost/romove-nemaji-sanci-bydlet-jinde-nez-na-ubytovne/
Czechia: Project
A project called “Everyone Together”, supported by Norwegian funds, lasted two and a half years in Tábor, Czechia. It enabled more insight in the relationship between the Roma and the majority population in Tábor and into the problems of the Roma. Around six hundred of them live in the town of Tabor which has 34 thousand inhabitants. However, it is clear from the results of surveys, polls and analyses, that a lot of work still needs to be done.
- Výsledek analýzy: Romové se cítí v Táboře bezpečně. In: jcted. 13.05.2024. https://www.jcted.cz/81936-vysledek-analyzy-romove-se-citi-v-tabore-bezpecne/?liveMode=1
Roma and Ukrainians
Dialogue and striving for mutual understanding are the key to peaceful coexistence, agreed the participants of the reconciliation round table, which took place on Thursday in response to the recent conflict in Kutná Hora, during which one of the local Roma was attacked by a Ukrainian citizen. Subsequently, a demonstration was held by part of the local Roma community. The government representative for the Roma minority Lucie Fuková, the mayor of Kutná Hora Lukáš Seifert, representatives of the police and the local Roma and Ukrainian communities took part in the meeting.
- VIDEO: Kulatý stůl smíření v Kutné Hoře. Romové a Ukrajinci hledali porozumění po nedávném napadení Roma a následné demonstraci. In: Romea. 12.05.2024. https://romea.cz/cz/domaci/video-kulaty-stul-smireni-v-kutne-hore-romove-a-ukrajinci-hledali-porozumeni-po-nedavnem-napadeni-roma-a-nasledne-demonstraci
Khamoro
An article on the upcoming 26th edition of the international Roma festival in Prague that will last an entire week starting on May 26th.
Džemil Silajdžić, the producer and dramaturg of the festival said: “We tuned the program up to the last minute, and I can promise that everyone will really enjoy it. I believe that this year’s Khamoro will be at least as successful as last year, when we celebrated our twenty-fifth birthday and enjoyed the huge interest of visitors. We are very much looking forward to everyone who loves Roma culture or is just starting to discover it. Khamoro shines for everyone.”
- Koncerty i gastronomická show. Festival Khamoro už po šestadvacáté přiveze do Prahy to nejlepší z romské kultury. In: Lidovky. 10.05.2024. https://www.lidovky.cz/orientace/kultura/festival-khamoro-romska-kultura-praha.A240510_142711_ln_kultura_hma
Official Opening
Many articles in the Czech press about the official opening of the memorial on the site of the former concentration camp of Lety.
- Paměť místa a místo paměti. Památník v Letech u Písku nabízí návštěvníkům dvě expozice, říká ředitelka Muzea romské kultury. In: Česky Rozhlas, 12.05.2024. https://radiozurnal.rozhlas.cz/pamet-mista-a-misto-pameti-pamatnik-v-letech-u-pisku-nabizi-navstevnikum-dve-9232624
- Památník holokaustu Romů a Sintů v Letech se otevřel veřejnosti. In: ¸Vesky Noviny. 12.05.2024. https://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/v-letech-se-pro-verejnost-otevre-pamatnik-holokaustu-romu-a-sintu/2517332
- Památník romského holocaustu v Letech se otevřel veřejnosti. In: O24. 12.05.2024. https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/domaci/pamatnik-holocaustu-v-letech-se-otevira-verejnosti-349120
Lety
The Roma and Sinti Holocaust Memorial in Lety na Píseck will be opened to the public for the first time today. It stands on the site of a former concentration camp for Roma from the Second World War. From today at 12:00 p.m., a commemoration of the victims of the Roma Holocaust is being held in the memorial area. ROMEA TV broadcasts the course of the memorial service live. It will be attended by Senate President Miloš Vystrčil (ODS). The memorial will open to the public at 3:00 p.m.
- PŘÍMÝ PŘENOS: Tradiční pietní akt k uctění památky obětí romského holokaustu v Letech u Písku. In: Romea. 12.05.2024. https://romea.cz/cz/domaci/primy-prenos-tradicni-pietni-akt-k-ucteni-pamatky-obeti-romskeho-holokaustu-v-letech-u-pisku
- V Letech se pro veřejnost otevře Památník holokaustu Romů a Sintů. In: Česki Noviny. 12.05.2024. https://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/2517332
- Jana Horváthová: Památník v Letech umožnila změna v postoji vlády, společnost také udělala znatelný pokrok. In: Romea. 11.05.2024. https://romea.cz/cz/domaci/jana-horvathova-pamatnik-v-letech-umoznila-zmena-v-postoji-vlady-spolecnost-take-udelala-znatelny-pokrok
A Historian on Lety
Anna Míšková, a co-creator of the Lety exhibition, described the creation of the camp, life and death within it, and also talked about the pre-war position of the Roma in Czech society. She said that even before the establishment of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, there were proposals for the establishment of labour camps, there was often an effort to expel the Roma from the territory of the municipalities where they lived.
Well, nearly all Roma from Czechia died in the Holocaust.
- Historička: Českoslovenští dozorci kradli v letském koncentračním táboře pro Romy vězňům jídlo. In: iRozhlas. 08.05.2024. https://www.irozhlas.cz/veda-technologie/historie/historicka-ceskoslovensti-dozorci-kradli-v-letskem-koncentracnim-tabore-pro-romy_2405080600_cen
Prague: Kali Sarah
The first annual Kali Sara festival will take place in Prague on May 18, 2024 in the premises of PVA Letňany. The festival is inspired by the traditional meeting of Roma in the French village of Saintes Marie de la Mer and the feast of Saint Sarah, who for many is a symbol of Roma identity and faith.
- Kali Sara v Praze: První ročník festivalu připomene dávnou romskou legendu a představí romské umělce z Česka, Slovenska a Maďarska. In: Romea. 08.05.2024. https://romea.cz/cz/kultura/kali-sara-v-praze-prvni-rocnik-festivalu-pripomene-davnou-romskou-legendu-a-predstavi-romske-umelce-z-ceska-slovenska-a-madarska
Lety
The memorial of the Genocide of the Roma in the camp of Lety, Czechia, will be open to the public on Sunday the 12th of May.
What is interesting in this article is that it states that ‘The participation of Czech gendarmes and camp commanders in the genocide of the Roma during the Second World War was denied throughout the forty years of communism. The taboo after the revolution was broken by historian Ctibor Nečas”
As a reminder, less than 40 Roma families from present Day Czechia survived the Holocaust.
- „Mordovali je Češi.“ Vzpomínky Romů na tzv. cikánský tábor v Letech. In: Pamet Naroda. 10.05.2024.https://www.pametnaroda.cz/cs/magazin/pribehy/mordovali-je-cesi-vzpominky-romu-na-tzv-cikansky-tabor-v-letech?_zn=aWQ9OTcyNjE3NTcxODg3NTg4NTc1MHx0PTE3MTUzNDAzMjEuNzgyfHRlPTE3MTUzNDAzMjEuNzgyfGM9NDIwOUE1NDY3MzhGMjIwNjU4MjlEN0I5NzBBNDAzQjE%3D
Khamoro Festival
From June 1st onward, the 26th edition of the Khamoro festival in Prague will bring nnbridled flamenco in a modern guise, energetic Olaš (Vlach) chapáš, Macedonian brass band, bravura gypsy jazz, but also film screenings and a gastronomic show.
- Festival Khamoro už po šestadvacáté přiveze do Prahy to nejlepší z romské kultury. V doprovodném programu se bude debatovat o vzdělávání Romů. In: Romea. 08.05.2024. https://romea.cz/cz/kultura/festival-khamoro-uz-po-sestadvacate-priveze-do-prahy-to-nejlepsi-z-romske-kultury-v-doprovodnem-programu-se-bude-debatovat-o-vzdelavani-romu
Lety
A series about the Memorial in Lety u Písek bringing an insight into the history and present of one of the most important, but also the most neglected, memorial sites of the Holocaust in the Czech Republic.
- Lety u Písku. Opomíjená historie romského holokaustu. In: Česky Rozhlas. 07.05.2024. https://olomouc.rozhlas.cz/lety-u-pisku-opomijena-historie-romskeho-holokaustu-9229891
Czechia: Attack
A young Roma family from Svitavy was the victim of an attack by an older man who allegedly racially abused them and threatened them with death. He apparently even pointed an unloaded gun at the partner of a young Roma woman and pulled the trigger. The incident took place on Friday, May 3, around 6 p.m., when the woman and her friend stopped their car at a relative’s house. The police confirmed to the news website Romea.cz that they are investigating the case, but did not prove a racial motive for the attack even though he called them “black monkeys”.
- Napadení ve Svitavách: Muž měl vytáhnout sekeru a zbraň na mladou romskou rodinu, vyhrožovat jim smrtí a nadávat do černých opic. Podle policie se rasový motiv neprokázal. In: Romea. 07.05.2024. https://romea.cz/cz/domaci/napadeni-ve-svitavach-muz-mel-vytahnout-sekeru-a-zbran-na-mladou-romskou-rodinu-vyhrozovat-jim-smrti-a-nadavat-do-cernych-opic-podle-policie-se-rasovy-motiv-neprokazal
Holocaust in Czechia
A new book by the Historian Jiří Smlsal, relates how not only were the Czech Roma killed during the war, but their property was simply seized. No Roma were ever compensated for this.
- Koně vzali sedláci, domy zbořili. Romy okradené při holokaustu nikdo neodškodnil. In: iDnes. 30.04.2024. https://www.idnes.cz/brno/zpravy/holokaust-romove-majetkova-perzekuce-kniha-jiri-smlsal.A240430_085434_brno-zpravy_krut
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