Music – rroma.org https://rroma.org Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:13:55 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://rroma.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cropped-greenwheel_large-1-32x32.png Music – rroma.org https://rroma.org 32 32 Lolita Cercel https://rroma.org/lolita-cercel/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lolita-cercel Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:13:55 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=32273 Lolita Cercel, created virtually with the help of artificial intelligence, is a star in Romania and beyond. Her genre, “Balkan trip-hop”, combines traditional Roma melodies with modern pop, dance and electronic rhythms and has long since become part of the mainstream music scene. But, in addition to fame, she is also the target of critics. “The instrumentalization of Roma culture”, someone called her. According to critics, while real Roma artists are often underestimated, a “virtual, racially charged and dehumanized Roma identity” is suddenly gaining ground.

]]> Vera Bila https://rroma.org/vera-bila-3/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vera-bila-3 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:19:04 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=32050 Věra Bílá, who was born on May 22, 1954 in Rokycany as one of Karol Gini’s six children, was a phenomenon of Romani music at the turn of the millennium. She sang for Bill Clinton at the White House, filled the Paris Olympia and was on her way to becoming the most famous Czech singer in the world. However, her career was later affected by the deaths of her husband, son and gambling. In March, we commemorate the seven-year anniversary of her death.

]]> Fenice, Venice https://rroma.org/fenice-venice/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fenice-venice Sat, 28 Mar 2026 15:42:34 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=32012 On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., Romani music will be presented in the Gran Teatro La Fenice in Venice, with a stunning concert in the Sale Apollinee. The event is held to mark International Roma and Sinti Day, celebrated on April 8, and the third Romani Culture Week (Romani Week).

The concert will feature Gennaro Spinelli, violin soloist, and Santino Spinelli, accordion soloist, who have performed on some of the world’s most important stages for years.

]]> Jovan Živadinović https://rroma.org/jovan-zivadinovic/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jovan-zivadinovic Sat, 14 Mar 2026 16:10:04 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=31807 Jovan Živadinović, a Roma singer and songwriter from Serbia, debuted with the single Sve je isto in July 2021. A year after his first album, he participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song Greh, which led him to the final of the competition.

The second album brings a sonic blend of modern electro pop, club aesthetics and the discreet sensibility of soul and rhythm and blues. Through 19 tracks, the album follows a path of self-exploration, emotional conflicts and attempts to understand one’s own identity, from a short introductory confession by Džipsii’s mother to the final track “Kuda”.

]]> Romano Vod’i https://rroma.org/romano-vodi-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=romano-vodi-2 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:03:51 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=31704 Rehearsals for the Romano voďi (Roma Soul) singing group take place regularly every Tuesday. For the children, it is a fixed point in the week that they look forward to. “We rehearse in the facilities of the Mutual Coexistence organization on Bieblová Street in Ostrava,” says Milan Giovanni Bindatsch. However, it is not just about “singing”. According to him, the key is to work systematically and sensitively. “It’s not just about singing itself, but mainly about working with the voice and listening to others so that the children sing in harmony with each other and don’t shout at each other,” says Bindatsch.

]]> Halgata https://rroma.org/halgata/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=halgata Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:00:50 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=31515 Long and sad Roma songs that sing about losses, poverty and injustices – the so-called halgáta. This musical tradition, which is passed down from generation to generation among the Roma, could gain official recognition. Dozens of people, including researchers and members of the Roma community, are trying to register halgáta on the national cultural heritage list.

]]> Ida Kelarova https://rroma.org/ida-kelarova-4/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ida-kelarova-4 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:59:39 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=31512 At the end of last year, a new children’s choir was created in Ostrava, which arose from the efforts of singer and choirmaster Ida Kelarová to find new talents for her ensemble known as Čhavorenge (Romani for “Child”). The children who did not succeed in the audition wanted to continue singing together, and so, thanks to cooperation with local organizations Vzájemné soužití, Ostravská nota, Velká náruč and with Milan Bindatsch from the Ibsenova Elementary School, a new ensemble was born. Its creation brought with it an unexpected effect among the residents of excluded localities – a strong emancipatory and activating effect.

]]> Artist Workshop in Bulgaria https://rroma.org/artist-workshop-in-bulgaria/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=artist-workshop-in-bulgaria Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:29:41 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=31497 The Bulgarian artist Rada Tsankova, who has lived and worked in Paris for 30 years, arrives in Bulgaria to open two retrospective exhibitions – today, February 17 in Sofia at the new space “Monument” and on February 23 at the “Papillon” gallery in Varna.

As part of her tour of her natve country, she will hold several workshops. One of them with Roma on February 20th. The artist will hold a creative workshop with the Music Instead of the Street Association, which helps children of Roma origin or in difficult financial situations to have access to classical music. The association was founded by the world-famous Sliven violinist of Roma origin Georgi Kalaidzhiev. The focus of Tsankova and the children’s joint work is “How to Present Music Through Visual Art”.

]]> Halgato https://rroma.org/halgato/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=halgato Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:43:53 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=31431 The specific Romani musical genre halgató, characterized by long and sad songs, could receive official recognition and be included on the list of intangible cultural heritage. Now, the bearers of the tradition are striving for this together with experts, according to whom it is an important living part of the Roma identity, which is passed down between generations, and should also have its place on the UNESCO list.

]]> Romane Gilja https://rroma.org/romane-gilja/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=romane-gilja Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:36:10 +0000 https://rroma.org/?p=31421 Singing out of suffering. Romani halgató singing is passed down through generations, it is important for the community and identity

Romani halgató singing is a specific musical genre. It is characterized by long, sad songs, usually accompanied by light guitar or violin accompaniment. The musical tradition could gain official recognition. Dozens of people and bearers of this tradition, including researchers and members of the Romani community, are seeking to have the halgató genre listed on the national list of intangible cultural heritage.

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