Tag Archives: Music

Budapest Symphony Orchestra

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Budapest Symphony Orchestra

The idea for the Budapest Roma Symphony Orchestra, known as the legendary “100 Violins” orchestra, was born in 1984, at the funeral of the famous Hungarian soloist Sándor Jarók Sr. That day, hundreds of Roma musicians from all over Hungary gathered to pay their last respects, and from that emotional moment of togetherness came the idea to found an orchestra that would preserve the spirit of the Roma musical tradition.

A year later, in 1985, the visionary László Berky and his associates founded the orchestra that would become a symbol of the Roma artistic soul and the cultural heritage of Hungary. Today, almost four decades later, the “100 Violins” orchestra continues to travel the world, bringing audiences music that transcends the boundaries of languages, nations, and styles.

Alexander “Sacha” Kolpakov

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Alexander “Sacha” Kolpakov

The best Russian Roma 7-String guitars musician, a composer of many songs, a teacher, a father, a friend, passed away yesterday. With him, some of the traditional Romani music from Russia also passed away. From a Servi family from Saratov, he moved to Moscow where he played for a long time in the Theatre Romen. He was internationally known with tours in the US, but mostly for his participation in Madonna’s Sweet and Sticky tour which saw Madonna sing in Romanes.

May he rest in peace and continue to play in the after world.

Te Javel I phuv lokhi, i leskiro drom puterdo.

 

Successful Singer

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Successful Singer

“I believe that success is not about skin colour, but about work, talent and attitude,” says Romani singer Štefan Pecha, who breaks stereotypes and brings authenticity to the stage.

The singer with a distinctive voice and unmistakable energy is not afraid to connect tradition with modern music in his work. In the interview, he speaks openly about his Roma roots, the search for authenticity and what it is like to follow your own path on the Czech music scene.

Gypsy Fest

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Gypsy Fest

This year’s “Gypsy Fest” was an attempt to bring awareness to the Roma culture and customs. A colourful parade passed through the centre of Vilnius. One of the festival’s highlights was a Roma village with traditional dishes and handicrafts. A fashion show and a free concert also took place.

Vilnius: Festival

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Vilnius: Festival

The two-day “Gypsy Fest 2025” festival dedicated to Roma culture kicked off in Vilnius on Friday. The program includes a colorful parade, a fashion show, traditional food tastings, and Roma music concerts.

Gypsy Fest in Lithuania

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Gypsy Fest in Lithuania

This September, Lithuanian listeners will be treated to a veritable cocktail of famous performers. According to the press release, the best Roma performers from abroad will perform on the stage of the international festival “Gypsy Fest 2025”.

Gypsy Fire

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Gypsy Fire

On Saturday, September 6, the Bystrica amphitheatre will be singing and dancing for the 19th Gypsy Fire.

The Gypsy Fire traditionally brings a spirited musical experience full of passion. On Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 5:00 p.m., great Roma musicians, dancers and singers will perform at the Paľa Bielik Amphitheatre in Banská Bystrica. The climax of the Gypsy Fire will be Rytmus.

“Djelem Djelem” Festival

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“Djelem Djelem” Festival

For the twelfth time, the “Djelem Djelem” cultural festival in Dortmund, Germany, invites visitors to numerous events in September. At Germany’s largest Sinti and Roma cultural festival, visitors can immerse themselves in the art, culture, history, and present of the Sinte*zze and Roma.

From September 1st to 15th, the Sintiand Roma cultural festival will focus on themes and events surrounding art, history, and the present that affect the Roma. The festival invites visitors to experience and celebrate these cultures with concerts, exhibitions, films, training courses, and encounters. Most of the events are free of charge. The festival is organized by the City of Dortmund together with numerous partners, including AWO Dortmund, Romano Than e.V., and Keuning.haus.

Jan Bendig

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Jan Bendig

Young Roma singer Jan Bendig is increasingly becoming known to the general public. He became famous thanks to a singing competition, but then he built his career as a solo singer practically on his own. He sings in Romanes, Czech, and English.

Elvis, Roma, and Romania

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Elvis, Roma, and Romania

Tudor Lakatos is fighting discrimination against Roma, one Elvis Presley song at a time. He says: “I never wanted to get on stage, I didn’t think about it,” Lakatos, 58, said after a recent gig at a restaurant in the capital, Bucharest. “I only wanted one thing — to make friends with Romanians, to stop being called a Gypsy,″ he added, using an often derided term for Roma.

Festival “Romský Bašavel”

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Festival “Romský Bašavel”

The sixth annual cultural event Roma Bašavel will take place on Thursday, August 14, 2025, from 5 p.m. at the Novodvorská Cultural Centre in Prague 4. The festival will present both traditional and modern Roma music and dance, and visitors can also look forward to a rich accompanying program and specialties of Roma cuisine. The Romea.cz news server was informed about this by Anna Chválová, the officer for national minorities and integration of foreigners of the Prague 4 Municipal District.

Niš: Šaban Festival

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Niš: Šaban Festival

The 14th Roma Music Festival “Zauvek Šaban Bajramović”, dedicated to the Roma musician and composer Šaban Bajramović started on August 6th in the amphitheatre on the Niš quay in Serbia.

Brass Festival

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Brass Festival

The world’s largest trumpet festival is dominated by Roma musicians from the Serbian south. This is their style, and most of the bad are professional, and an common sight in weddings, feasts, and burials.

The rest of the article is bad. “Irregular rhythms” refers to non ½ simple bats that are common in the Balkans, and the origins of Serbian Roma displayed there show the lack of knowledge of the journalist…

Slovak Romani Music

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Slovak Romani Music

The most famous Slovak musician of Roma origin, Igor Kmeťo Jr., joined forces with Tina and treated his fans to a colorful video clip for the song Av ke mande – come to me. According to the articles, the song is a celebration of temperament, love and the connection of cultures.

Radio Belgrade

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Radio Belgrade

Radio Belgrade, one of the oldest and most important media institutions in Serbia, celebrated its 100th birthday on October 1, 2024.

The contribution of Roma artists has greatly influenced the development and prosperity of the national media outlet and they deserve a special place in any retrospective. Ante Grujić, Aleksandar Šišić, Ljiljana Petrović Butler, Žarko Jovanović Jagdino, are just some of the names of Roma artists whose songs, interpretations and musical performances have been regularly heard on the airwaves of Radio Belgrade.

Gypsy Fest

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Gypsy Fest

The festival that breaks down prejudices and unites cultures will celebrate its big anniversary in 2025. After ten years, Gipsy Fest returns to Žarnovica with the strongest program in history. You can look forward to Cigánski diabli, Kandračovci, P.A.T., Jasmina Alagič and many others.

Letter to the Editor

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Letter to the Editor

A letter to the editor on a Roma musician who gave a concert below the windows of an apartment block in Sopot, a Polish town on the Baltic sea. The author of the letter takes it with humour, saying it is not Roma, it is the noise, and adds other sources of disturbance including nationalist marches…

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