International Roma Day
San Francisco
Main Info Featured Artists Sponsors
Crossing the Borders!
Friday April 6, 2012  Map Poster Press

Croatian Cultural Center - 60 Onondaga Ave., SF 94112 - 415-584-8859
Starts 7:30 pm. Door price $16, children under 12 free.
Web price $14.45

Brass Menažeri and Stevens Family "Gypsy Boys" with Danny Lee Fender. Traditional dances taught and led by Sani Rifati. Voice of Roma presentation about International Roma Day. Authentic Romani/Balkan food by Julia Pecak, drinks, CD’s, handcrafts and books on Romani culture for sale.

  • 7:30 pm - traditional dances taught and led by Sani Rifati
  • 8:30 pm - Brass Menažeri - Balkan brass band
  • 9:30 pm - presentation about International Roma Day by Sani Rifati
  • 10:30 pm - Stevens Family with Danny Lee Fender

About International Roma Day

International Roma Day (April 8) was officially declared in 1990 in Poland, during the fourth World Romani Congress in honor of the first major international meeting of Roma representatives, 7-12 of April, 1971 in London, UK. Since then Roma around the globe celebrate our social origins, language, culture, unity, and in particular, romipen (preservation of Rom identity) near the date of the original gathering.

VOR held San Francisco's first annual International Roma Day event in 2000. In addition to romipen, our goals are to introduce audiences to and provide performing opportunities for renowned Romani performing artists, create a gathering place for Romani and other immigrant and refugee communities, and raise awareness about the human rights issues faced by Roma in today's world. In particular, we focus on education regarding the dire circumstances of the Roma in and from Kosovo.

Romani traditional culture around the world and specifically in the U.S. is weakening. Old neighborhood communities, so nourishing to the culture, are disintegrating. Many young Roma don't do traditional dances, and some young Roma don't even share a language with previous generations of their families. This erosion of cultural identity and collective memory could easily result in the loss of Roma artistic expression and traditions that are infused with hundreds of years of history. VOR's International Roma Day celebration events respond directly to this need. The artists and Roma participants reconnect through their participation, strengthening ties to their culture and preserving the artistic expression of our people.

photo of Brass Menažeri by April Renae; George Stevens and Danny Fender by Raymond van Tassel; poster by Mary Agneberg

 
Voice of Roma is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable corporation. You may deduct donations from your federally-taxable income.
Last modified 03/14/13 14:26 EDT