Czech capital to see European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture presentation on support for Romani culture

On Tuesday, 13 February a presentation will be made by the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC), “SAR DIČOHA ROMAŇI KULTURA DUREDER? – BUDOUCNOST ROMSKÉ KULTURY” (THE FUTURE OF ROMANI CULTURE) as part of an international conference to be followed by a cultural program that evening. The conference, entitled “Support for the Development of Roma Culture: Contemporary Challenges and Future Opportunities”, will begin at 10 AM in the Gallery of the Czech Centres on Rytířská Street in Prague.

The conference will focus on presenting Romani cultural output from abroad and from the Czech Republic, as well as the challenges and obstacles connected with financing Romani cultural events and the future development of Romani cultural heritage, which is a significant component of the cultural heritage of Europe. Those presenting will include, in addition to representatives of ERIAC, Czech Culture Minister Ilja Šmíd, Jan Wolf (Prague City Councilor for Culture, Monuments, Exhibits and Tourism), Martin Martínek (head of the Department of the Czech Government Council for Romani Minority Affairs), ambassadors from three European states, the director of the Czech office of the Creative Europe program, Eva Žáková, representatives of leading NNOs from abroad and from the Czech Republic, and more.

The conference will be followed by a cultural program in the evening that will be open to the public and will begin at 19:00 at the theater on Korunní Street (DIVADLO V KORUNNÍ). During the course of the evening those attending will be able to sample “bites” of Romani culture in all its forms, such as music, singing, poetry, alternative art and more.

Eminent Romani artists from the Czech Republic such as Jan Bendig, Pavlína Matiová, Marta Balážová, Milan Kroka and Live Band, and Romane Kale Panthera will perform during the evening. The program is part of ERIAC and is supported by the Foreign Ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany.

ERIAC itself is financed by the Open Society Foundations, the Council of Europe, and the Alliance for the European Roma Institute. The national coordinator of ERIAC for the Czech Republic is the Slovo 21, z.s. organization.