Urgent online petition to save Prague's World Romani Festival - KHAMORO, scheduled for next month

The 14th annual World Romani Festival – KHAMORO, scheduled for 28 May – 2 June 2012, may not be provided the financing needed to run this year. Conference organizers from the Slovo 21 civic organization have received a 54 % lower subsidy this year than they did last year. The decision was made by the Department of Regional and National Cultures of the Czech Culture Ministry (www.mkcr.cz).

Both domestic and international performers have already signed contracts and had their flights and accommodation booked – everything must be arranged far in advance for an event of this kind. The reduced subsidy is a significant threat to KHAMORO. We are concerned that if the festival dies out it will have a disastrous impact on more than just the culture of the Romani minority in the Czech Republic.

Since 1999, the festival has been a significant international event which brings people from various alignments, countries and cultures together, including artists who consider art an essential cultural value and an expression of their philosophy of life. In addition to jazz and traditional Romani music, the festival also features unique events, such as international seminars on Romani topics, film screenings, exhibitions, and the favorite traditional march by dancers and musicians from various countries through the center of Prague, as well as the International Youth Meeting of Romani people from several states. All these activities bring many visitors to Prague every year. The festival enjoys enormous prestige, not only in this country, but abroad, because the best Romani artists and experts from around the world attend it every year.

KHAMORO is run every year under the auspices of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic and is supported by the Prime Minister and the Mayor of Prague. These figures consider the festival to be beneficial to all of society. Details about this year’s program are available on the festival website: http://www.khamoro.cz/en/

We are aware of the very difficult economic situation in the Czech Republic and in most European countries. Nevertheless, we would like to emphasize why the activities of events like the KHAMORO festival are so important. The festival is not only of great cultural significance, but of great social significance. Its program brings an exceptional selection of international artists and visiting viewers to whom the Czech public would otherwise never be exposed. Through its continuity, the festival is supporting an entire generation of artists for whom it has always been an important platform for presenting their work. From a society-wide perspective, it raises awareness about Romani culture and positively influences the mindset of both Czech and international viewers. It also intensifies civic engagement among Romani people themselves. Through its very specific format, the festival aids social integration, which is very important in the Czech Republic. This celebration and presentation of Romani culture shores up Romani identity and gives Romani individuals the possibility to feel proud of their ethnic origin. This is a feeling which is being suppressed in today’s society by expressions of intolerance and the negative stance of a significant portion of the Czech public toward people who are differentiated as ethnic Roma.

Through this petition, we will be turning to the Czech Prime Minister, RNDr. Petr Nečas, and to the Czech Culture Minister, Mgr. Alena Hanáková, to ask that they re-evaluate the decision made by the subsidy process. In order to save the festival, it is essential that the subsidy be increased proportional to the fact that the Romani minority is the largest minority group on Czech territory. We are convinced that the significance of this project was not sufficiently considered during the decision-making process and we believe this decision can still be changed.

We thank all of those who have expressed support for the KHAMORO festival by signing our petition. It is available here: http://www.petice24.com/petice_za_zachovani_svtoveho_romskeho_festivalu_khamoro