Description
The main idea and mission of this project is to raise awareness of cultural diversity and to contribute to the quality coexistence and communication between the majority population in the Czech Republic and the Romani minority through culture and music. The Khamoro World Roma Festival has tradition from 1999 and since then it focuses on presenting Romani cultural professionals, primarily in music. The festival concept includes music programme (classical, contemporary music (Gypsy Punk), Gypsy Jazz and traditional music) and accompanying programme – such as parade by the performers through the centre of Prague, music workshops, storytelling by Roma elders, expert seminar on topic “Roma music in a social context”, small summer school on Roma culture, and creative workshops for young Roma from different countries. The project supports also a media campaign –not only for the purpose of the festival, but also with aim to open up topics concerning the position of the Romani community in society and to raise awareness of cultural diversity and the cultural identities of individuals in the European cultural space. In 2015 the festival will be held in both Prague and the City of Plzeň as part of its European Capital of Culture 2015 status. Approximately 10 000 audience from abroad and from the Czech Republic is expected. The 2015 festival will be designed and produced in partnership with the Yagori Romani Festival from Norway (Oslo), where Khamoro will also perform in September 2015. The partner will contribute to the dramaturgy, contacting and selecting artists, preparation and realization of the artistic workshops, preparation and the direct participation in the seminars and presence during the entire duration of the Khamoro Festival in Prague.
Summary of project results
The main aim of the project was to contribute to enhancing dialogue between the majority and the Romani minority through cultural activities. World Roma Festival KHAMORO took place for the 17th time in Prague and Pilsen during May 2015. In addition to concerts of traditional and contemporary (hip-hop) Roma music and gypsy jazz, which were the backbone of the festival, singing and dancing workshops, seminars, contests in streets, performer´s parades through Prague, trainings for young Roma and students, meetings for children from children's home and many others were realized. The result of a special seminar organized during the festival was an electronic proceedings of "Roma culture in different social contexts" published in English and available online. Within the Pilsen – European Capital of Culture program Khamoro introduced community day with open-air performance "Cake Mandala", lectures in schools and open-air concert of gypsy music's biggest stars. Festival Khamoro offered the best of Roma culture and thanks to a professional presentation introduced to the audience the same level as any other culture of the majority. Extensive media campaign as part of the festival not only presented a very rich program, but also offered the possibility of public dialogue on the status of Roma and their positive examples.
Summary of bilateral results
The project had one partner from donor countries - The Yagori International Romani Festival in Oslo. The festival in Oslo was created the same year as Khamoro festival, partners have been collaborating since then. Partner was actively involved in the preparation and implementation of the main and accompanying programme from the very beginning. Yagori made contributions to the dramaturgy of the Khamoro festival, contacted and selected artists, prepared and led the artistic workshops (quitar workshops) and seminars. The director of Yagori festival - Natasha Bielenberg spoke at the expert seminar on the topic "Romani culture in a social context". She also led a workshop on the topic of organizing international Roma festival in Norway for young Roma. Both partners also worked together on preparation of the The Yagori Romani Festival that took place in Oslo in August 2015. Exchange of experiences was mutual, sharing of knowledge in organizing the Roma festivals and creating a common database of artists were beneficial for both sides. Continuous cooperation is planned after the project's completion.