Tag Archives: Music

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Roma Music in Hungary

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Roma Music in Hungary

On Wednesday, October 7, educator and Roma cultural studies teacher Mrs. János Jónás delivered a lecture titled “Sounds of Two Worlds: Traditional Roma Vocal Music and Coffee-House ‘Gypsy Music'” at the Sámuel Tessedik Museum in Szarvas. In her presentation, she contrasted the musical worlds of the Romungro musician Roma and the Oláh Roma, highlighting what they listen to during celebrations versus times of death and funerals.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Józef Merstein Jochymczyk

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Józef Merstein Jochymczyk

Józef Merstein Jochymczyk, a Sinto musician from Poland, shares his life story, including his early experiences with music and family roots. The family moved through Switzerland, Germany, and wartime Krakow ending up in Chrzanov, where he was born.

He highlights the cultural differences and common  roots between Sinti and Roma and reflects on the historical persecution faced by his community. He continues to perform and compose music in the language he learned before Polish, emphasizing the importance of his cultural identity.

Lithuania News Eastern Europe

“Gypsy Fest”

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“Gypsy Fest”

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.

Italy News Western Europe

Conference and Event

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Conference and Event

A music and culture event celebrating Roma culture is taking place in Turin, alongside the 34th International Conference organized by the Italian Association Zingari Oggi, marking its 55th anniversary.

The conference will address issues related to housing, rights, and inclusion for Rom and Sinti communities, featuring discussions from various experts and representatives from different countries.

The event is open to the public without prior registration, allowing media representatives to interview speakers.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Croatian Roma Festival

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Croatian Roma Festival

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.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Concert

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Concert

A concert celebrating World Romani Language Day on November 5, will feature the band Amala, led by composer Imer Traja Brizani, showcasing their new album ‘Amala 30’.

The performance will include original compositions and timeless Romani classics, divided into acoustic and electric segments, featuring various instruments and a vocal section.

Special guest Oto Pestner will join the concert alongside international soloists, aiming to create a transcultural bridge and promote coexistence among nations.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Day of the Roma

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Day of the Roma

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.

Lithuania News Eastern Europe

“Gypsy” Fest

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“Gypsy” Fest

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.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Bela Pokuta

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Bela Pokuta

Béla Pokuta, a prominent Romani singer, left behind numerous recordings that may be compiled into a new album, blending his early authentic singing with later musical experimentation from the group afterPhurikane.

His music, characterized by raw emotion and a unique atmosphere, has been preserved in recordings spanning over two decades, with the oldest dating back to 2001.

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the completion of the album, which aims to document Pokuta’s exceptional musical journey from a Romani settlement to European concert stages.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Imer Traja Brizani

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Imer Traja Brizani

Imer Traja Brizani, a prominent Romani musician and composer, celebrates 30 years of his group Amala and 46 years of artistic creation, blending Romani music with jazz and classical influences.

He emphasizes the importance of music as a means to break stereotypes and foster cultural dialogue, highlighting his family’s musical legacy and collaborations with notable artists.

Brizani advocates for better understanding and support for the Romani community in Slovenia, stressing the need for professional knowledge to combat stereotypes and promote genuine inclusion.

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Ljiljana Petrović Batler

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Ljiljana Petrović Batler

Ljiljana Petrović Batler, a prominent Romani singer, faced significant challenges in her life, including becoming a mother at 14 and working various jobs, including cleaning toilets, to support her family after fleeing to Germany during the Yugoslav wars.

Despite her struggles, she achieved fame in Yugoslavia and was affectionately known as the ‘mother of Romani soul,’ often addressing issues of racism and prejudice against the Romani community.

Batler’s life story is marked by resilience and a deep connection to her roots in Belgrade, where she expressed a strong desire to return and be buried after her passing in 2010.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Boni

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Boni

The Bulgarian singer Bony openly discusses early marriages and the need for young people to have real choices about their futures, emphasizing that family should be a conscious choice rather than a predetermined fate.

She connects the issue of early marriages to education, urging parents to support their children’s education instead of pushing them into family life and work too early.

Bony calls for broader institutional support for young families, including access to healthcare, quality education, and opportunities in various fields, advocating for stability as a tangible reality rather than just a political promise.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Balval Fest

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Balval Fest

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.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma in our City

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Roma in our City

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.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Halgato

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Halgato

Slovak Romani musician Oto Bunda is preparing a documentary film Halgató: Song of My Soul, dedicated to the traditional Romani musical genre halgato. The filming will take place in the Czech Republic and Slovakia with the participation of Romani musicians. According to Bunda, the film is intended to capture a tradition that is gradually disappearing from Romani communities.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Roma Bašavel

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Roma Bašavel

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.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma in one’s City

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Roma in one’s City

The event “Romi svome gradu” was held in Pirot, Serbia, showcasing the richness of Romani music, dance, and tradition, featuring performances by local youth and guests from Vranje.

Radmila Nešić from the organizing association “Ternipe” emphasized the festival’s importance in preserving Romani culture and its growing popularity among the audience.

The event also included an initiative to support the education of Romani girls, highlighting the challenges faced in maintaining cultural traditions due to lack of funding and resources.

https://youtu.be/MJnPu_63QTs

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Music

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Music

A music album titled “Zumin” was created in the Roma settlement of Habeš near Sečovce, Slovakia, featuring local musicians and children during extreme heat in August 2026.

The album includes a variety of sounds and songs reflecting themes of poverty and migration, showcasing the community’s cultural heritage.

It was produced as part of the Art Aktivista residency, which has been engaging with the community since 2014, and is available for free streaming on Bandcamp.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Ruma Music and Culture

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Ruma Music and Culture

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.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe North Macedonia

Dzansever Dalipova

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Dzansever Dalipova

Renowned singer Djansever Dalipova passed away in Essen, Germany, at the age of 59 after battling leukemia and undergoing a critical bone marrow transplant surgery.

The 59-year-old artist was known for her unique performances in arabesque and Romani music, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable songs.

Dalipova’s health issues included losing an eye at a young age and being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, but she made a significant comeback in her music career after a major surgery in 2009.

Djansever’s funeral is expected to take place in North Macedonia, with details yet to be finalized; she is remembered for her resilience and significant contributions to music despite her health struggles.

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