Art is a reflection of society!

Art is a reflection of every society. It is a mirror or reflection (GENDAL'IPEN in the Romani language) of the world as we see it or as we wish to see it. It has the power to define, preserve, and communicate the specific ideas of individuals as well as collective cultural codes. Cultural (including artistic) representation plays an important role in building ethnic (or other) identity, as well as an individual's identity and self-esteem.

For centuries, stereotypes and prejudices have had a negative impact on the status of Roma people and their culture and art. For a long time, Romani art was excluded from the mainstream, misunderstood, and oversimplified, and its artists were often relegated to the background.

The aim of this project is to support Romani artists in their creative work and the presentation of professional contemporary Romani art through a variety of activities, thereby demonstrating that contemporary Romani art and its artists wish to be seen and heard and that they have a rightful place in (not only Czech) culture and society.

The project provides training for young Roma in cultural management with the goal of increasing their competencies and competitiveness in the field of cultural entrepreneurship and technical skills. It will support artistic creation and enable them and other artists to present their art (visual, musical, dance, literary, alternative works, etc.) to the general and professional public at significant cultural events.

Visitors will be informed about these events through media, social networks, websites, and more. The events will take place in the Czech Republic (primarily at the Khamoro World Festival of Romani Culture in Prague, but also in other cities across the country), as well as in Norway and Iceland as part of cross-border partnership cooperation.

As part of the project, we will train 24 people, support at least 23 artists in their creative work, and, in collaboration with 652 artists, carry out 57 events for the general and/or professional public, which will be attended by over 70,500 visitors from the Czech Republic, Iceland, and Norway. The intention of the Gendal´ipen project is to support Romani artists in their creative work and the presentation of professional contemporary Romani art through a variety of activities, thereby demonstrating that contemporary Romani art and its artists wish to be seen and heard and that they have a rightful place in (not only Czech) culture and society.