May 28, 2025
Khamoro Reaches Its Halfway Point! Today Brings Theatre, Film, and a Concert by the Vltava river
Half of the festival may be behind us, but the programme is far from over. Day four of Khamoro kicks off in the afternoon with a performance of Stories of Survivors, a production based on the Theatre of the Oppressed. But that’s not all—audiences can also look forward to a screening of a documentary that explores the Czech education system and the obstacles faced by Romani students. The day ends with a unique concert blending classical, jazz, and Romani music. Don’t miss KLAJAZZROM under the evening sky with a view of the Vltava River and Prague Castle!
THEATRE ON THE ROMA HOLOCAUST AND PRESENT-DAY CHALLENGES
Injustice, racism, and historical trauma—these are the main themes of Stories of Survivors, which you can see today from 5:00 p.m. at Vila Štvanice. But don’t expect conventional theatre or professional actors. The Theatre of the Oppressed method breaks all traditional stage boundaries, inviting the audience to step into the story and search for answers to burning questions. One of them is the pain passed down through generations—the trauma of the Romani Holocaust. The play is based on real-life testimonies of descendants of Holocaust survivors and also highlights the pressing issues Roma still face today.
A FILM ABOUT EDUCATIONAL BARRIERS
The Theatre of the Oppressed won’t be the only testimony today to the everyday challenges faced by Roma. At 7:00 p.m., Kino Atlas will host a screening of Report on the Preparatory Year, a documentary by director Jakub Fišer. It offers a unique perspective on the often difficult—yet possible—path Romani students must take to access higher education. The film follows the determination of individual students as well as the two-decade-long efforts of the Department of Social Education at Masaryk University’s Faculty of Education, which chose not to look away but to offer support. Don’t miss this moving documentary about the hidden barriers within the Czech educational system, the power of encouragement, and how small steps can lead to significant change.
CONCERT BY THE VLTAVA RIVER
The day will conclude with the long-anticipated KLAJAZZROM concert—a fusion of classical music, Romani tradition, and jazz freedom. Starting at 7:00 p.m. at Čapadlo Summer Terrace, the performance features the Czech ensemble Galiani Gypsy Jazz. Their music is rooted in classical tradition, yet draws deeply from Romani čardáš and breathes with the ease of jazz. For them, genres are not limitations but spaces for freedom and improvisation. The group is composed of outstanding Romani musicians with formal music education. Bandleader Milan Galyáš, who also plays with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, has performed around the globe. Clarinetist Miroslav Filko, one of the most highly respected virtuosos in the Czech Republic, contributed to the soundtrack of the film Sherlock Holmes. The concert—set against the iconic backdrop of Prague Castle and the Vltava river — will also feature the exceptional Romani vocalists Mária Bikárová and Marta Balážová. Experience an evening filled with energy that lingers long after the final note.