Roma Culture Festivals in Europe Ralf Čeplak Mencin EFRP RESEARCH WORKSHOP Artistic festivals with a social and intellectual agenda Poznan, April 24th-25th 2010

2 The Roma, exonym Gypsies) ethnic group of 10 to 15 million people scattered throughout the world/living mostly in Europe, their origins in medieval India 1000 years ago. The Roma, exonym Gypsies) ethnic group of 10 to 15 million people scattered throughout the world/living mostly in Europe, their origins in medieval India 1000 years ago. nomad lifestyle because of persecution until mid. 20th century. nomad lifestyle because of persecution until mid. 20th century. the most discriminated, persecuted, and marginalised ethnic group in Europe. the most discriminated, persecuted, and marginalised ethnic group in Europe. The Roma Pharraimos (Holocaust) was ignored until recently. The Roma Pharraimos (Holocaust) was ignored until recently. The 1st major international meeting of Romani representatives in 1971 near London. The 1st major international meeting of Romani representatives in 1971 near London. Established a common name ROMA, anthem and flag. April 8th became The international Roma day. Established a common name ROMA, anthem and flag. April 8th became The international Roma day.

3

4 Roma/Gypsy Culture festivals emerged in Europe mostly in the last decade as a specific phenomena in the festival domain. Roma/Gypsy Culture festivals emerged in Europe mostly in the last decade as a specific phenomena in the festival domain. Leading goals: to combat racism and xenophobia, to combat racism and xenophobia, to help to protect and respect human rights, to help to protect and respect human rights, to teach tolerance towards the Roma minority. to teach tolerance towards the Roma minority. The aim: to make a broad public aware that Roma have an old and rich “culture” or “cultures” as any other ethnic group or nation which should be equally respected and enjoyed. to make a broad public aware that Roma have an old and rich “culture” or “cultures” as any other ethnic group or nation which should be equally respected and enjoyed.

5 The oldest known Roma/Gypsy festival and pilgrimage (since the medieval times) The Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer religious in its roots, today also a culture festival happening in May in Camargue region/France. The youngest festival Romano Chon/Roma Month Romano Chon/Roma Month (since 2009), held in April in Slovenia. The latest event,not yet called a festival is The forgotten Genocide (April 2010) in Helsinki/Finland.

6 Festivals emerged in the last decade: - Khamoro World Roma festival (since 1999) in Prague, Czech republic in May, - the children Roma festival Open Heart (since 2003) in VelikoTurnovo / Bolgaria, in June, - Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month (GRTHM) (since 2008) in many parts of Great Britain in June, - Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month (GRTHM) (since 2008) in many parts of Great Britain in June, - Romart festival in Subotica (since 2006), Serbia in July, - IRAF - International Romani Art Festival (since 2006) in Timisoara, Romania in July, - - Roma Truba Fest (since 2006) in Kumanovo, Macedonia in October.

7CONCLUSIONS The concepts of the Roma festivals differ. Most of them combine artistic components : exhibitions, concerts of traditional »Gypsy« music, new waves of music like Gypsy Swing, Hip-hop or even Rap, dance, different workshops, film projections, lectures, debates, theatre and puppet shows, different kind of performances etc. They become »centres of celebration of Roma culture and its history«. They tackle the negative stereotyping and prejudices. They try to make aware the wast »European majority« of its xenofobic attitude towards the biggest »European minority«.

8 They are very attractive for the media through its colourful events, even it’s “exotic” appearance. The output or impact is difficult to measure, because it’s a long term process. It’s very important that the creative members are Roma (not just non-Roma/Gadje), which neutralizes non-Roma paternalism and makes a sence to the Roma cultural festivals. Usually they are a manifestation of collaboration of different NGO’s and government institutions and a model of good practice. Some became part of the Council of Europe initiated Route of Roma Culture and Heritage as a tool for intercultural dialogue, cultural tourism and sustainable development and European integration.