Czech Republic's second-largest city marks International Romani Day with three days of activities
The celebrations of International Romani Day (8 April) organized annually by pro-Romani and Romani-run organizations in Brno, Czech Republic began on 13 April this year. They were scheduled to take place at well-known locations such as the former penitentiary (Káznice) on Bratislavská Street, Lužánky Park, or Moravské náměstí.
Romani people and their allies traditionally march through the city center on this occasion. This year, for the first time, an Ecumenical Czech-Roma religious service was also held.
“The Days of Romani Culture are to begin by tying ribbons on the Tree of Tolerance on Thursday at 14:00 in Lužánky Park. After the traditional ceremony there will be an afternoon of amusement for families with children in Eugen Horváth – Hvězdička Park,” organizers announced in a press release sent to Romea.cz.
The program included Romani music, dance performances, traditional food, activities for families with children and a LEGO® project with friends and volunteers from that company. The first-ever Golden Spoon (Zlatá vařečka) competition was also scheduled for baking the best Šinga (a Romani sourdough strudel that is traditional).
At the Museum of Romani Culture, visitors were able to take a guided tour of the permanent exhibition “The Story of the Roma” and the exhibition “Vesmíry/Kosmosa/Universes” by the Romani fine artist and architect Zdeněk Daniel. The celebrations then moved to the nearby Káznice in the evening, where a documentary film by Tomáš Kratochvíl, “Pongo Calling” was to be screened about the famous Romani vlogger Štefan Pongo and Czech Romani people living in England, followed by a discussion with the producers and a cultural program.
On Friday, 14 April at 15:00 a unique event was scheduled, called Phučen mandar pre makarso – Zeptejte se, na co chcete (Ask What You Want), organized by the staff of the online Romani television channel Tuke TV. They decided to spend two hours at the Museum of Romani Culture answering questions from the public about Romani culture and Romani people.
“We are repeating Ask What You Want for a second time. Guests frequently ask about the origins of the Roma, about historical matters, and about identity issues,” Alica Sigmund Heráková said for Tuke TV.
“My perception is that the dimension of interpersonal communication in the public space is terribly important and the opportunity for the public to speak with Romani people about these subjects is simply freeing and inspiring,” Heráková said, adding that some people do refuse to engage in dialogue or even communicate opinions that should never be repeated anywhere.
“For us what is essential is the positive impact of that action. Small miracles can happen in the public space and I am glad the members of Tuke are brave enough to do this,” she added.
That event was to be followed by the Romani Pride Parade full of activism, dance and music. The procession begins on Moravské náměstí and ends at Hvězdička Park.
“The high point of the celebrations will doubtless be the concert by the Romani bands Manuša and Točkolotoč at 19:00 in the nearby Káznice venue. Before the bands perform there will be a minute of silence to remember Robin Stria, the young Romani activist, artist, documentarist and colleague who recently succumbed to a serious illness,” the organizers announced.
The life story of the late Robin Stria, who was actively regularly involved in International Romani Day in Brno, was to be recalled during Saturday’s ecumenical service, which was to close the festivities for the first time ever with a spiritual component at 14:00, again at Káznice. The Days of Romani Culture are co-produced by the Community of Roma in Moravia (SRNM);, the DROM Romani Center, IQ Roma Service; the Museum of Romani Culture, s. p. o.; the Salvation Army; Tripitaka; and Tuke TV.
