PRESS RELEASE: Concerts and the Czech premiere of a film about Chaplin. At the end of May, Khamoro will once again bring the best of Romani culture to Prague

Roma music from around the world, film screenings, theatre of the oppressed, and the presentation of unique research on domestic violence in the Roma community. For the twenty-seventh time, Prague will host Khamoro during the last week of May. It is the largest Roma festival in the world, organized since 1999 by Slovo 21 and Studio Production Saga. A festival that breaks down stereotypes and brings people together. Because just like “khamoro” – the sun – it shines for everyone.

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“We are fine-tuning the final details and we really can’t wait for Khamoro. Prague is simply at its most beautiful during the last week of May. When you see Roma, Czechs, and foreigners dancing together at concerts, you know why you do it all. That is the main purpose of Khamoro, that is our driving force,” says festival producer and head dramaturg Džemil Silajdžić.

Throughout the week, Khamoro will offer a total of seven concerts featuring various genres. Roma artists from the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Hungary, France, Serbia, and—for the first time in the festival’s nearly thirty-year history—Greece will perform. The concert concept is based on the fact that Roma people live scattered all over the world.

The festival kicks off on Sunday, May 25, with the Khamoro party at Gauč na Výstavišti. Popular contemporary Roma music artists will perform, including singer Tereza “Tessie” Ondičová, the group Ritmo Gitano, and singer Thomas. Gypsy jazz concerts will also be a staple of this year’s Khamoro.

“Milan Angelo Novák, for example, will be playing. He is truly a rising star of world music. Even though he is only 18, he has already performed with musical legends like Fapy Lafertin and Roby Lakatos. His musical talent is truly incredible,” reveals festival spokesperson Nikolas Ferenc.

Every year, the biggest draw is the traditional Roma music concerts. Festival visitors will be able to enjoy these from Thursday, May 29, until Saturday, May 31, when the festival culminates with a final gala concert at the SaSaZu club.

“Authentic flamenco from Spain, the csárdás of Vlax Roma from Hungary, songs of Russian Roma known from the film Queen of the Gypsies, and untamed Balkan brass music—visitors to this year’s Khamoro can look forward to all of this. The Czech Republic will be represented by the cimbalom band of Ivan Herák, one of the most sought-after Roma bandleaders in our country,” adds Ferenc.

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But Khamoro is about much more than just music. This year’s week-long program again includes a series of accompanying and professional events. Among other things, the festival will offer the Czech premiere of a documentary film about one of the most iconic figures in film history—Charlie Chaplin. The little man with the signature bowler hat, mustache, and unmistakable walk entertained the whole world. But few people know that Charlie Chaplin had Roma roots. The film “Chaplin: A Soul on the Move” was directed by the famous actor’s granddaughter, Carmen Chaplin.

As part of the professional program, Khamoro will open up the taboo topic of domestic violence. At the “Speak Up” mini-conference, the organization Slovo 21 will present the first-ever research on the prevalence of domestic violence in the Roma community in the Czech Republic.

“Domestic violence against women unfortunately occurs in all cultures, but it has its own specifics in the Roma environment. From deeply rooted stereotypes that a woman is obligated to protect the family at any cost, to a patriarchal structure that assigns women subordinate roles,” explains Claudie Laburdová from Slovo 21.

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Khamoro is the largest Roma festival in the world. It is visited by approximately 10,000 people annually. Over its 26 years of existence, more than 270 bands from 40 countries have performed there. From the beginning, the festival was supported by, among others, Václav Havel. Khamoro is a holder of the prestigious EFFE Label—a European quality mark. This year’s festival is held under the auspices of the Minister of Culture, Mgr. Martin Baxa, and the Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs, Mgr. Lucie Fuková.

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PRESS CONTACTS

Nikolas Ferenc

spokesperson

Phone: +420 731 336 035

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Marie-Anna Růžičková

Public Relations

Email: marie.ruzickova@slovo21.cz

Phone: +420 732 268 201