VIDEO: KHAMORO Roma Festival parades through the historical center of Prague, a captivating spectacle
A parade of Romani dancers and musicians passed through the center of Prague, Czech Republic on Friday, 31 May. Children's folk dance ensembles and performers in this year's KHAMORO festival traveled through the streets of the Old Town playing their music.
Several hundred onlookers joined in the parade as well. The Romani cultural show is organized by the NGO Slovo 21 and started last Sunday; it ends on Saturday, 1 June with a gala concert.
The Romani performers set out on their annual parade through the center of the capital shortly before noon on Wenceslas Square. This year a white carriage pulled by two piebald horses led the parade
The carriage was decorated with large colorful crêpe-paper flowers. Flag-bearers carrying the flags of various states came after the carriage, followed by the performers.
After walking down Na Příkopě Street, the parade made it to the Ovocný trh [Fruit Market] area, walked down Celetná Street and ended up on the Old Town Square. Each ensemble performed there for bunches of passers-by, both Prague residents and tourists.
The performances included flamenco dancers and others in long, multicolored skirts wearing artificial red roses or carnations in their hair. A Balkan brass band was among the musical ensembles performing.
“If you’ve never experienced it, you don’t know how great it is! The défilé of all the performers, right on the streets of the historical city center of Prague, is an unforgettable experience,” the festival organizers say.
The festival program also included a Children’s Day at the Portheimka Park from 15:00 on Friday featuring attractions, dance and music. At 19:00 a concert of traditional Romani music from Hungary, Spain and North Macedonia was held at the La Fabrika venue.
On Saturday afternoon there will be a cooking show, Aven te chal! (Come Eat!) on the embankment of the Vltava River (the Náplavka) in Prague. The Romani chef and fashion designer Pavel Berky will be cooking, who came in third in the nationally televised MasterChef competition several years ago.
The high point of the festival is the gala concert in the SaSaZu club starting at 20:00 on Saturday, 1 June. According to organizers, about 10,000 visitors come to the festival annually.
During the last 25 years as many as 260 bands from 33 countries have performed during the show. Organizers say the aim of the event is to connect members of the Romani minority with others through art and to combat stereotypes.
The festival was supported from the start by Czech President Václav Havel, among others. KHAMORO holds the prestigious Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe (EFFE) Label, a guarantee of quality.
