This year, Bozar and 1001 Valises have joined forces with Romani Yag to present the ROMA TOUCH at the Balkan Trafik festival… That special touch that the Roma (known as « Gypsies ») bring to all cultures of the Balkans, as well as their rich traditions that they perpetuate through the centuries.
In partnership with the Open Society Institute and Roma Decade, Balkan Trafik will emphasize International Roma Day and the Roma people’s cultures.


A ROUND TABLE entitled “Les Richesses du Monde Rom,”

For all who wish to know more about this thousand-year-old culture, history and diverse traditions…
Guest of honour Dani Klein, singer of Vaya Con Dios , will be joined by fascinating persons who will offer you a wide array of glimpses into the realities, past and present, of the Roma people.

Introduction (in English) :
- Bernard Rorke, Director of Roma Initiatives at Open Society Institute
- Valeriu Nicolae, Secretary General of the European Roma Grassroots Organisation

Participants to the Round Table (in French) :
Moderator: Safia Kessas, Documentary Journalist RTBF
- Dani Klein, Founder and Singer of the band Vaya con Dios, D. Klein is actively involved in the defense and support of Roma Rights
- Marcel Courthiade, great promoter of Roma culture, linguist, writer, holds the chair of Rromani language and culture at the INALCO (Paris), member of the International Romani Union
- Natasha Udovikova Bielenberg, renowned Roma choreographer, stage artist et activist, director of the Roma festival Iagori (Oslo), member of the International Romani Union
- Marian Mandache, Lawyer and Human Rights Department coordinator at Romani CRISS (Roma Center for Social Intervention and Studies) in Bucharest.
- Tania Magy, bachelor of Plastic Arts, Member of the Art’Rom de Voyage association (France), she teaches art to ‘Gadje’ and Roma children (also see Caravan Museum below)
- DJ Gaetano Fabri, a jazz aficionado, this Belgian musician and DJ brings Roma music to a broader audience by blending traditional music with the clubbing culture.

SHOWS… WITH A PLUS

- Opening the three concerts Mec Yek, Roby Lakatos and Myriam Fuks, Ferus Mustafov and Kadrievi, RomAroma, will be the artists themselves, joined by Ljuba Radman (president of the organisation Romani Yag), who will offer you an exclusive and personal look into Roma culture.
- Introducing RomAroma’s dance show will be dancer Simona Jovi? (president of the association Les Rroms du monde). She will present Roma dances from India to the Balkans. This artist will share with you and lead you into the authentic traditions of the Roma people.

THE CARAVAN MUSEUM

Outside the Fine Arts building, Tania Magy (see round table 18/04) will open the door to the Caravan Museum for you. This small Roma universe gathers souvenirs and memorabilia left to her by persons whose paths have crossed hers: tsiganologists, reasearchers and Roma or Sinti artists. In front of her caravan, Tania will be exhibiting various bits of information about Roma: books by or about famous Roma artists, about Roma rights in France and much more… which you will have to see for yourself!