World Romany festival starts in Prague to help remove prejudicese

Romany artists from the Czech Republic and another ten countries will perform at the 9th Khamoro world Romany festival that started in Prague today to at least partially remove prejudices, its organisers have told CTK.

"Romany culture is exceptionally rich but few know it. It (the festival) is one of few opportunities to get acquainted with it. We try to bring it in from all over the world and to present it to people here in order to at least partially remove prejudices," festival producer Jelena Silajdzic said.

Producer Dzemil Sailajdzic said that the Prague festival is the only event of its kind in the world.

But in spite of its tradition and a good name abroad as well, it is more and more difficult to gain money for it.

This year’s budget is five million crowns. The Culture Ministry has provided 1.6 million crowns and Prague one million crowns.

The rest is from foundations, firms and individuals, the producers said.

The festival is held under the aegis of PM Mirek Topolanek who met the organisers this morning.

This year’s festival, that will last till Saturday, will focus on German Romanies and Sintis. Romanies from Slovakia and Hungary were in the festival’s focus in the previous years.

Besides music and dance performances, the festival will also offer exhibitions, screenings, flamenco lessons and specialist seminars. On Thursday, the performers will walk through Prague.