A traditional parade of Roma dance groups passed through the center of Prague
Updates: 09/25/2021 15:07
Released: 25.09.2021, 14:42
Prague – A colorful parade of Roma dance and music ensembles went to the center of Prague today at noon. More than two hundred participants of the Khamoro or the Sun Romani Culture Festival set out from the lower end of Wenceslas Square. As every year, the parade accompanied by loud traditional music aroused the interest of tourists and Praguers alike. This year’s festival is taking place for the twenty-third time.
The costumed artists walked through the pedestrian zone across Na Příkopě and Havířská streets. After several stops, during which they danced to the onlookers, they came to the Fruit Market. Here a decorated carriage was waiting, which accompanied them to the finish line in the Old Town Square. Around the monument to Jan Hus, the musicians and dancers divided into several circles and entertained the audience for about another half hour.
As last year, Khamoro was divided into spring and autumn due to coronavirus measures. “The festival is nice, but a bit sad,” festival director Jelena Silajdžić told ČTK. According to the pandemic, the concerts in the internal requirements could not be attended by as many participants as in previous years. However, the organizers started steaming the show, so it reached a wider audience. “There is always something good about everything bad,” Silajdzic concluded.
The Khamoro Festival has been held since 1999. The first parade was organized by the organizers in 2001. Thousands of people come to see it every year. According to the directors, seven professional units from Spain, India, Romania, Serbia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands joined the parade this year. However, other Czech amateur ensembles also took part.
In the evening, a real concert of traditional Romani music takes place in La Fabrice. It will feature ensembles from several countries. An unconventional combination of Spanish and Indian music includes AndaluzIndia. Hungarian Kale Lulugyi will bring Romani songs from generation to generation, Boban Markovic will play the Balkan brass band, and there will be no shortage of Russian songs and dances performed by the Karmen Gipsy Group.
On Sunday, the festival continues with a gala concert in Roxy. Viewers will see seven bands from seven different countries, which include seven different styles of Romani music. The festival in Prague is organized by Slovo 21. Those interested can find its program on the web khamoro.cz.
