Paĺikerav – Thank You! Concerts by Ida Kelarová at the Rudolfinum in Prague mark International Romani Day
Paĺikerav – Děkuji (Thank You). That is the name of the concerts being held this weekend in Prague's Rudolfinum venue by Ida Kelarová ahead of International Romani Day (8 April).
The concerts will feature the Čhavorenge Children’s Choir, Desiderius Dužda, the Jazz Trio, the Czech Chamber Orchestra, the Czech Student Philharmonic, the Pekovci Cimbalom Band and other guest performers. “In 2024 we are celebrating 10 years of amazing collaborations between our Romani children’s choir, Čhavorenge, and the Czech Philharmonic,” Kelarová said.
“During that time we’ve done a great deal of work not just in our own country or in Slovakia, but also in Belfast, for example, and in London. The documentary film O čo ide Idě [What Does Ida Want?] was made about our work and we recorded a CD, Hej Romale [Hey Roma!], when Mr. Bělohlávek was still with us in the beginning,” she said, referring to the Czech conductor who passed away in 2017.
“We have experienced many beautiful creative encounters between Romani and non-Romani children in which we are all changing the world for the better. We have something to celebrate and we’re proud of our amazing children,” the choirmaster and singer said.
“It is exactly for that reason that I am dedicating each concert entirely to Čhavorenge, which will be presented this time not just as a choir, but also as an incubator of singing and dancing talent,” said Kelarová. Saturday’s concert will be broadcast live at 19:30 by Czech Radio Vltava.
Sunday’s concert will be filmed by public broadcaster Czech Television and broadcast on 8 April at 20:14 on the ČT art channel. Tickets can be purchased online on the Czech Philharmonic’s website.
