The recent International “Gypsy Fest” in Vilnius was a colorful highlight of the Folk Fair, celebrating its 10th anniversary with performances from various artists and groups from Lithuania and other countries.
Notable performances included the famous SARE ROMA group and ensembles from Latvia, Estonia, Czech Republic, Germany, and Serbia, showcasing the rich culture of the Roma.
The 18th Festival of Romani Song and Dance took place on September 27, 2026, in Beli Manastir, Croatia, celebrating Romani culture and traditions.
The event aimed to preserve Romani cultural heritage, language, music, and traditional dance while strengthening ties between the Romani community and local society.
The festival highlighted the importance of cultural identity and intergenerational connections, showcasing Romani creativity to a broader audience.
The 23rd Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival will showcase over eighty films in Budapest and eight other cities, focusing on the theme of trust in what we see amidst the rise of AI and manipulated images.
The festival opens on November 16 with the Hungarian documentary “Papa,” which highlights the diversity of Roma communities and features films by Roma creators.
The event will include discussions and community-building activities, supported for the first time by the National Film Institute with a significant financial contribution.
The annual GYPSY FEST parade in Vilnius attracted significant attention, featuring colorful performances, traditional Romani culture, and a free concert at Kudirkos Square.
Organizers emphasized the festival’s mission to combat stereotypes and promote understanding of Romani culture through various activities and messages displayed in the city.
This year’s event included a talent competition for young Roma, showcasing their abilities and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones.
Myjava, Slovakia, will host the Day of Roma event in September 2026, celebrating Roma culture with two days of music, dance, and exhibitions.
The event will feature performances from the Jaghále Čhaja dance group and the Vladoboys band, along with inspiring documentaries about successful Roma individuals.
The GYPSY FEST in Vilnius, Lithuania, aims to challenge stereotypes about the Romani culture through thought-provoking messages displayed on large posters around the city.
The festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will feature a theatrical procession and a free concert showcasing Romani music and culture on September 19.
Organizers emphasize the importance of dialogue and understanding, inviting attendees to reflect on their own biases and engage with the Romani community.
The Bari Balvaj! festival aims to promote Roma art to a wider audience and is hosted at the East Slovak Gallery, a significant cultural venue in the region.
The festival will feature various performances, including traditional Romani music and dance workshops, highlighting the importance of cultural diversity in the Košice region.
The event is open to everyone, encouraging participation and appreciation of Romani culture without prejudice, while also targeting Romani audiences.
The Romanian film “Eu contez” [I matter] directed by Alina Șerban won the Audience Award at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, marking a historic achievement for Romanian cinema.
Alina Șerban, a Roma director, is the first Romanian to present a feature film at the Venice Festival, and her film addresses themes of social exclusion and identity through the story of a young Roma woman.
The film has received widespread acclaim for its emotional authenticity and is expected to be a strong contender for international distribution and possibly an Oscar nomination.
“I Matter,” the debut feature film by director Alina Șerban, premiered on September 8 at the Venice International Film Festival in the Venice Spotlight section, making her the first Roma female director in the festival’s official selection.
The film follows Rebeca, a young Roma woman preparing to leave her care center, hoping to find stability through her father’s release from prison, but faces challenges in her transition to independent life.
The film, a Romania-Germany-Belgium co-production, will be released in Romanian cinemas in February 2027 and is also competing for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award in the Venice Spotlight section.
Alina Șerban, acclaimed for her role in ‘Housekeeping for Beginners’, returns to the Venice Film Festival as a director and screenwriter with her debut feature ‘Eu contez (I Matter)’, premiering on September 8.
The film, a Romanian-German-Belgian co-production, tells the story of a Roma teenager preparing to leave a care center, highlighting underrepresented narratives in cinema.
‘Eu contez’ competes for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award, featuring a cast that includes Denisa Farcaș and Sorin Mihai.
The “Maškari Amende” festival will take place on September 11-12 in Šuto Orizari, North Macedonia, celebrating 30 years since the municipality’s establishment, focusing on culture, music, and community.
The festival will feature activities for children and youth, cultural exchanges, and performances by various artists, including the Roma Rock School Band and international musicians.
Organized by the European Institute for Arts and Culture of Roma (ERIAC) in partnership with the municipality, the festival aims to preserve the community’s rich heritage and foster new connections among generations.
Alina Șerban, acclaimed for her role in ‘Housekeeping for Beginners’, returns to the Venice Film Festival as a director and screenwriter with her debut feature ‘I Matter’, premiering on September 8.
‘I Matter’, a co-production between Romania, Germany, and Belgium, is one of eight films selected for the Spotlight section at the festival, competing for the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut and the Audience Award.
The film tells the story of Rebeca, a Roma teenager preparing to leave a care center, highlighting underrepresented narratives in cinema about the complexities of Roma experiences and adolescence.
Balvalfest, is the oldest Romani festival in Slovakia. It aims to showcase Romani music and dance. The festival features performers from various countries, including the UK, Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Hungary, and encourages young talent to participate.
This year’s event is expected to attract around 2,000 visitors and is supported financially by the Minorities Culture Support Fund.
The RROMA Film Festival will showcase short films inspired by Roma culture from September 4-6 in Brasov and Augustin, featuring a special screening of ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin.’
The festival will honour Salvador Dali and include a celebration of Roma culture with traditional music and culinary experiences.
The closing ceremony will feature the film ‘Malul Vanat’ and a tribute to a lost film about Roma communities, with free admission to all events.
The IROFF International Romani Film Festival will return to Prague from September 10 to 13. After last year’s zero year, it will offer four days of film screenings, two Czech premieres, discussions with filmmakers, concerts and exhibitions. The program was presented today at a press conference by Petr Ščuka from the organizing organization Identity Prague. The festival will take place at several locations in the metropolis.
The 14th annual event “Romski svome gradu” in Pirot showcased Romani music, dance, and tradition, organized by the citizens’ association “Ternipe”.
The event attracted many fans of Romani culture, featuring performances by young folklorists from Pirot and guests from Vranje, emphasizing the continuity of Romani culture through new generations.
This year’s program included a humanitarian aspect, raising funds for the education of Romani girls, linking cultural preservation with support for the community’s future.
Prague 4 invites you to the seventh annual Roma Bašavel on Saturday, August 15th from 3:00 PM to the Central Park in Pankrác. This year, for the first time, it will be held as an open air festival for the general public and will offer a day full of music, dance, family fun and Roma culture. Admission is free.
The traditional Roma evening in Ruma, in the Vojvodina in Serbia, part of the ‘Cultural Summer’ program, showcased Roma culture through music, dance, and community engagement, emphasizing the importance of cultural events in connecting communities.
Local officials highlighted the progress in education for Roma youth, with increasing numbers continuing secondary education and the introduction of teaching in the Roma language to preserve their identity.
The event was supported by the municipality, which aims to improve the position of the Roma community through various initiatives, including scholarships and educational support for Roma students.
The Ando Glaso Roma Fest, Scotland’s largest festival celebrating Roma arts and culture, will be held on September 4-5 at the University of Glasgow and Destiny Church, featuring free events including live music and educational activities.
The festival aims to promote Roma culture through performances by renowned artists and a focus on youth engagement, with activities designed to build confidence and community ties among young Roma talent.
Key performances include Hungarian pop star Jázmin and various Romani ensembles, with the festival supported by local organizations and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Roma Heroes International Theatre Festival and its organizer, the Independent Theatre of Hungary, will receive a special award from the Theatre Critics’ Association in 2026 for their outstanding performance over the seasons.
The Independent Theatre of Hungary promotes collaboration between Roma and non-Roma artists, aiming to create a more inclusive theatre environment in Hungary.
The Roma Heroes Festival has established itself as a pioneering platform for Roma theatre in Europe, fostering diverse audiences and innovative storytelling since its inception in 2017.
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