The autumn part of Khamoro 2021 is beginning!
May 23, 2021
Unbridled energy, brilliant musical and dance performances by Roma artists, the traditional parade in the center of Prague, and many accompanying events that introduce festival visitors to various areas of Roma culture – these are all things that not only Praguers have become accustomed to over the nearly quarter-century of Khamoro's existence.
This year's 23rd edition of the largest Roma festival, organized by Slovo 21 and Studio Production Saga, culminates this week with traditional music concerts at La Fabrika in Holešovice and a Sunday gala concert featuring all the bands and ensembles at Roxy in Prague.
Before these concerts, however, a spectacular Khamoro party will take place on Wednesday, September 22, at Gauč ve Stromovce, featuring a performance by one of Central Europe's biggest pop stars, Tomáš Botló. This singer and pianist caught the public's attention in the 2012 Czechoslovakia's Got Talent competition. His musicality stunned the judges, and his star has been rising ever since. His tracks on YouTube have millions of views, and he collaborates with the biggest stars of contemporary Roma music, such as Igor Kmeťo or Refew. The Khamoro party will also feature the nine-member band of Roman "Zorba" Horváth, known primarily from the band Terne Čhave. Original compositions based on traditional Roma music, beautiful personal lyrics in the Romani language, and, above all, a large ensemble of great musicians guarantee the quality of this party.
On Friday at 5:00 PM, an interactive street art performance by Martin Oláh, a talented Roma poet, musician, theater performer, and artist, will take place at Náměstí Míru, exploring the various forms of freedom.
On Friday, September 24, at 7:00 PM, the first of two traditional music concerts will take place at La Fabrika, featuring three musical groups. The first to play will be the local Roma band Čhave Romane CZ, led by virtuoso accordionist Patrik Eliáš. They will perform folk songs of the Slovak Roma for concert-goers. An energetic and original mix of gypsy swing and traditional Roma music is the domain of the Dutch band La Manouche. The concert evening will then close with a whirlwind of frantic rhythms from the Romanian brass band Zuralia Orchestra.
On Saturday at 12:00 PM, the traditional parade of all festival participants will take place in the center of Prague.
In the evening, starting at 7:00 PM at La Fabrika, bands from four other countries will perform. In a completely unconventional collaboration called AndaluzIndia (ESP, IND), you will hear flamenco interwoven with Indian music. Hungarian Vlach music will be represented by Kale Lulugyi, who will play Roma songs passed down from generation to generation. Karmen Gipsy Group is the name of the festival's Russian representative, which will present traditional Russian Roma folklore, made famous by the now-legendary film musical Queen of the Gypsies. The second concert evening will culminate with a performance by the king of Balkan trumpeters, Boban Marković, and his orchestra. This large band will showcase the best that the world of Balkan Roma brass music has to offer – a gripping musical tempo, virtuoso instrumental performances, and an endless sea of energy that always floods the audience.
The festival will conclude with a Sunday gala concert featuring all the bands, starting at 5:30 PM at Roxy in Prague.
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