Khamoro Festival 2010

For the past 12 years, the Khamoro Festival, a world festival celebrating Roma culture, has been introducing locals and foreigners to traditional Roma music and dance. Starting with a one day event in 1998, the festival expanded rapidly one year later to a seven day affair. Visitors have the opportunity to experience a range of Roma bands from across the world; see exhibitions; attend dance workshops and discussions. It´s all part of the message the festival hopes to impart.

“We think this festival had the power to break prejudices against Roma in the Czech Republic,” said Michal Miko, PR Manager for the Khamoro Festival. “A high percentage of visitors are foreigners and it´s a good way to improve opinions about the Roma community throughout the world.”

Miko says the festival has hosted more than 600 performers and seen more than 100,000 visitors during its decade plus run. Traditionally, the festival offers both traditional and jazz gypsy bands; screens films by or about Roma; put on exhibitions and hosts international experts in workshops designed to explore Roma issues more in-depth. This year (festival runs May 23-29, 2010) will be no different.

Khamoro is really all about the music. The skill and passion these musicians have spins through their instruments and infuse the concerts with energy and excitement.

“There are not many professional Roma musicians and we have made space to introduce them to the public,” Miko said. “Many stars of Roma music have performed here throughout the years.” While the majority of bands come from around Europe, Miko says they´ve had said some come from as far as the US and Brazil.

The musical festivities kick off Monday night with what Miko says is “a concert of modern Roma music” by well-known Czech band Gipsy.cz. Tuesday and Wednesday are reserved for Gypsy jazz bands; 16 Gipsy Strings from Germany plays Tuesday with a Dutch/French group, Gipsy Swing Trio letting loose on Wednesday. The next two nights are reserved for traditional Roma music. At the ROXY, you´ll hear three or four different bands each night. A gala concert of seven bands (Mahala Rai Banda/Romania, Black Panthers/Serbia; Šukar/Slovenia; Orkestar Braka Kadrievi/Macedonia & Belgium; Romano Atmo/France; Romano Stilo/Slovakia and Surmajovci/Czech Republic) will perform at the Congress Center.

Miko is enthusiastic that all attendees will have a good time, and he hopes the events will contribute to a breakdown of Roma preconceptions.