World Roma Festival to address questions on Roma identity in the Czech Republic & the new EU

Since the Czechs joined the European Union on May 1st questions over Roma identity, tradition, and roles in civil society have become more apt than ever in the Czech Republic and abroad, questions experts and Roma representatives aim to tackle in a series of week-long discussions in Prague. The discussions will be part of the 6th annual Khamoro Festival now underway, a festival that has become the byword for the celebration of Roma culture and music.

World Roma Festival to address questions on Roma identity in the Czech Republic & the new EU

Khamoro - the sun - is a festival of the highest calibre that has now became a tradition in the Czech capital; organisers say Roma musicians from across the continent now regularly block the last week in May for a chance to perform in the Czech capital, facing a selection process that is rigorous, but ultimately worth it: a choice of some of the best professional Roma bands in the world, that put Prague on the map.

But it's not only that - an indispensable part of the Khamoro are seminars on Roma identity that make the festival more than just a cultural event - but a cultural exchange -addressing questions of difference, representation, and tolerance that all too often fall by the wayside.

Jelena Silajdzic, co-founder of the festival spoke with Radio Prague and described her feelings about Roma culture and the reasons behind Khamoro:

Jelena Silajdzic

"When my husband and I came from Sarajevo to the Czech Republic we came from the war in ex-Yugoslavia. And we thought everything here was okay. It's the middle of Europe, the people were okay. But, when we came here we learned that everything isn't 'so easy'. And on of the worst questions was the question of the Roma. My husband is a musician, I am a film producer, and we decided we would try to show Roma culture at a higher level. But not only culture: during the festival we would like people to address different questions, Roma questions, questions of minority. Why Khamoro? I think that 'culture' is the most important way to understand one of the most important questions in Europe."

The president of the International Romani Union, Emil Scuka, agrees, though he is more careful over the question of whether the festival reaches all those it could.

Emil Scuka

"I see the situation through Roma eyes and my eyes are open. Certainly Khamoro can act as bridge between cultures. On the other hand, I don't think it's the only Roma event that addresses Czech people. Khamoro primarily attracts those who are already interested in Roma culture. To attract others will take time. Still, the festival has been around six years - it is just now becoming a tradition."

On the other hand, Mr Scuka stressed how important a centre Prague had become for Roma culture, a sentiment shared by the city's Lord Mayor Pavel Bem, who kicked-off Khamoro on Monday...

Words of greeting in Romany were followed by a short speech stressing the importance of cultural diversity. Mr Bem said "diversity provoked", in the most positive sense.

Now, it will be interesting to see how visitors at the festival this week appreciate just how deep that diversity goes.

Stay tuned, of course, for stories from Khamoro throughout the week - both on Roma music and the seminars on Roma culture in the Czech Republic and abroad.

www.khamoro.cz