Tag Archives: Music

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.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

LGBTQ+ and a song

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LGBTQ+ and a song

A controversy has erupted around Azis’s new song “Mangava tu” due to the use of the phrase “aman от pedali,” which has been criticized as homophobic by LGBTQ+ communities.

Critics argue that Azis, who is openly gay, is normalizing hate speech against sexual minorities, while supporters claim he is using a term familiar within the gay community.

Drag queen Malina Yank defended Azis, stating that within the LGBTQ+ community, such terms can be used among members without malice, emphasizing the importance of artistic expression even if it may offend some.

News Western Europe United Kingdom

Ando Glaso

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Ando Glaso

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.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Baro Bjav

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Baro Bjav

The Bulgarian pop-folk star Boni has released a new project titled “Big Wedding,” showcasing the traditions and culture of the Roma people in Bulgaria and beyond.

The music video premiered on her official channel and emphasizes themes of love, family, and unity through music.

Boni expressed gratitude to all contributors and her hometown of Sliven, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the project.

https://youtu.be/ekaIkAfJctI

Austria News Western Europe

Harri Stojka

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Harri Stojka

Harri Stojka, born on July 22, 1957, in Vienna, is a prominent Austrian jazz guitarist known for blending jazz, blues, rock, and Roma musical traditions, which he calls “Gipsysoul.”

He began his musical career in the early 1970s, founded the Harri Stojka Express in 1973, and has performed internationally, gaining recognition for his work on Gypsy Jazz and his engagement with Roma culture.

Stojka has received numerous accolades, including the Golden Honorary Badge for services to the Republic of Austria, and continues to perform and release new music while advocating for the remembrance of Roma history and culture.

News Western Europe Spain

Etnosur Festival

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Etnosur Festival

The Etnosur festival will kick off the filming of “Voces Gitanas desde el Sur,” a documentary aimed at highlighting the social, educational, political, and cultural contributions of the Roma community in Granada and Jaén.

The project, led by the La Comunitaria association and part of the European ROVA initiative, seeks to combat stereotypes by sharing real stories from prominent figures within the Roma community.

The filming will begin on July 18 with a cultural event featuring flamenco music and international dance, culminating in a performance by the DHOAD Gypsies of Rajasthan, promoting cultural exchange between Eastern and Western Roma roots.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Te Prindžaras Amen

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Te Prindžaras Amen

The 22nd edition of the festival “Te prindžaras amen – Let’s Get to Know Each Other” will focus on traditional dance forms of various Roma groups in Slovakia, taking place on July 12 at the Slovak Village Museum in Martin.

Visitors will learn about Roma dance folklore from educators and will have the opportunity to see performances from established Roma dance ensembles and musicians.

The event will also feature a photography exhibition by respected Roma journalist Roman Čonka, showcasing the lives of notable Roma musicians and artists, along with workshops for children.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

5th International Roma Music Day

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5th International Roma Music Day

The 5th International Day of Gypsy Music will take place on August 8, connecting 11 venues across 7 countries, with Budapest as the main hub.

The festival aims to celebrate the diversity of Roma music, featuring nearly 30 artists and free concerts, despite financial challenges in Hungary’s cultural scene.

The event honors the late Esma Redžepova, a prominent figure in Romani music, and includes a tradition of simultaneous performances of the international Romani anthem, “Gelem, Gelem.”

Would be nice if they did not use the “Gypsy” or even worse, the “Z”-word …

News Eastern Europe Romania

Viața de Țigani

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Viața de Țigani

Pepe’s new single “Viața de Țigani” is accompanied by a documentary film that showcases nearly a century of family history in under four minutes, featuring archival footage and personal moments.

The film highlights five generations of Pepe’s family, culminating in the introduction of his two-month-old daughter, Jessica, marking her public debut.

The narrative emphasizes the importance of family bonds and traditions, with Pepe reflecting on his upbringing and the legacy of music passed down through generations.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Monika Lakatos

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Monika Lakatos

The Lakatos Mónika Folk7Festival and Workshop will take place from July 31 to August 3, leading up to the Balaton GipsyFest, which will follow for three days.

The workshop aims to attract those who love Romani music and culture, providing an opportunity to engage with the culture and understand its nuances.

The event encourages interaction between Romani and non-Romani individuals, fostering a deeper understanding of Romani culture and language through music and dance.

Kosovo News Eastern Europe

Erdhlezeti Festival

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Erdhlezeti Festival

The “Erdhlezeti” festival returned after a three-year hiatus, celebrating community, music, and human connections with local and international acts, including the Antwerp Gipsy Ska Orchestra and Demir Kan Brass Orchestra.

The festival emphasizes the importance of authentic music and cultural gatherings, aiming to unite people through shared experiences in public spaces.

The event attracted a diverse audience, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with joy and energy, showcasing the rich musical heritage of the Roma and Balkan cultures.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Vojvodina Music

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Vojvodina Music

The event “Days of Roma Music” was organized by the Roma Cultural Center in Pančevo to promote and preserve the rich musical heritage of the Roma minority.

The event featured performances by talented children from Vojvodina, highlighting the importance of passing on traditional Roma music to younger generations.

Officials emphasized the significance of such events in fostering cultural diversity and mutual respect, with hopes that it will become a key cultural event in Vojvodina.

News Eastern Europe Russia

Ekaterina Zhemchuzhnaya

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Ekaterina Zhemchuzhnaya

Ekaterina Zhemchuzhnaya, a renowned People’s Artist of Russia, passed away in Moscow at the age of 83, as reported by the Romani theater “Roman”.

She was celebrated for her versatility in acting, successfully portraying both dramatic and character roles throughout her career.

Zhemchuzhnaya joined the Roman Theater in 1964 and had over 20 film roles, including notable works like “Eternal Call” and “Carnival.”

Te javel i phuv lokhi.

Germany News Western Europe

Djelem Djelem Festival

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Djelem Djelem Festival

The 13th Djelem Djelem Arts and Culture Festival in Dortmund features the Roma Ball concert, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Romano Than association, which advocates for the visibility and empowerment of Roma communities in the Ruhr area.

The concert aims to celebrate milestones, challenges overcome, and the solidarity networks built over the past decade, promoting an inclusive and open space for cultural exchange.

The band “Amen Roma” will perform, blending traditional Roma music with modern influences, symbolizing self-determination and community identity.

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