Today (April 8) is International Romani Day, and in honor of this day we're releasing a virtual concert featuring some of the artists who have participated in Roma Voices Project. Because of pandemic restrictions, we weren't able to be all together in one place, so...
Several songs in this project have touched on the importance of family in Roma culture. The lifelong bond between parents and their children is essential to Slovak Roma, so it’s no surprise so many of their songs are about this very bond – giving thanks for parents,...
If you’ve listened to other songs in the Roma Voices Project, you may have noticed that Roma don’t shy away from expressing their emotions. Roma are a passionate and emotional people, and they openly express what they’re feeling – whether it’s anger, joy or...
“I’m black,” declare the singers from the first bars of this lively song. It’s a bold declaration that carries racial connotations: “Black” is a term used to speak of Roma in both the Slovak and Romani languages… not always positively. But rather than irony or...
If you know that Roma are a passionate and emotional people, it won’t surprise you to learn that they bring intensity to their Christian faith – especially their worship. We’ve participated in worship with Slovak Roma in Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran and Pentecostal...
When asked about their favorite songs to perform, most members of the Luna Kecerovce band answered this one, Phen mange mamo (Mama, Tell Me). This was obvious during the recording session – all the musicians lit up when they played it. “I love the bossa nova jazz...
Some traditional Roma songs like this one are heavy and sad. They express Roma identity, the harsh realities of life, and faith that things can be better. Maybe in this song you can hear echoes of spirituals from African American history – songs born out...
This instrumental song was written and recorded by the Galakticka School Band and their director, Marcel Senkyr. Click here for more information about the group and to hear their other recordings. Jazzy (Instrumental)Music by Galakticka School Band Galakticka School...
This is one of two recordings of this song on Roma Voices Project - click here to read more about the song and hear the version by Luna Kecerovce. Veša, veša (In the Woods)Original author unknown, this recording by Gypsy Boys Gipsy Boys by Roma Voices Project Veša,...
Many Roma folk songs like this one present a challenge – it’s a simple melody and text that’s repeated over and over. How do you sing the same thing in a different way? In a way that is interesting to hear each time? When you listen to this recording of the Galakticka...
