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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.

Featured Artists

GYPSY BOYS (Paul and George Stevens)

The “Gypsy Boys” are the third generation of the Stevens Family Band, performing Romani music that includes Django Reinhardt's jazz, plus Serbian, Greek, Hungarian and Russian influences The band formed in the 80’s when several grandchildren began playing with grandfather Vine, a renowned mandolinist and important leader of the Los Angeles Romani community. They perform frequently at Romani gatherings and celebrations in Southern California, New York, and Florida, and have also performed at New York’s Skirball Museum with the famous guitarist Les Paul and with renowned bouzouki player Yanis Yamakis Sporos in Greece.

DANNY LEE FENDER

"He plays his music at Gypsy weddings, dances, and reunions. His wicked brand of guitarwork is known as 'California Style,' which is all but unknown to anyone but fellow Gypsies." (hotclub.co.uk)

BRASS MENAŽERI

" Brass Menažeri (pronounced 'Menagerie') is San Francisco's original and hottest Balkan Romani ("Gypsy") Brass Band. Our music cascades through Serbia, Macedonia, Bosnia, Greece and even Rajasthan with wild rhythms, new sensibilities, innovative arrangements and original compositions, expanding the traditions while we remain rooted within them. Directed by trumpeter and clarinetist Peter Jaques, Brass Menazeri unites the Bay Area's foremost interpreters and reimaginers of the Balkan traditions."

JULIA PECAK - catering

Julia’s cooking style is based on seasonal, natural, and fresh ingredients, combining traditional Roma flavors, with spices and aromas from around the world. A Hungarian-born Roma, she was chef and owner of former San Francisco restaurant "Bistro E Europe with Roma (Gypsy) Flavor".

SANI RIFATI

President and co-founder of Voice of Roma and of the California Herdeljezi Festival. Is an exuberant and exhilarating dance instructor. He has taught at Kolo Festival in SF, the Chicago Spring Dance Festival, Mainewoods Camp, Portland Maine, Balkanalia, Portland Oregon, Folkball, Madison Wisconsin, and at Balkan music and dance camps in the U.S. as well as at schools and folk dance events throughout the Bay Area.