What is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Prague? One might mention the Charles Bridge, the Castle, Wenceslas Square, as well as Franz Kafka, Miloš Forman, and Václav Havel. However, since May 27-31of this year, when we, the CEU Romani Studies Program, went on a field trip to the Czech capital, we realized that such a list would be incomplete without the “Khamoro World Roma Festival”. Khamoro Festival—meaning little sun in Romani language—is described as “the world’s largest professional Romani festival,” and every year it hosts countless cultural and academic programs. This year, Khamoro also accommodated the annual conference of CEU Romani Studies titled “Culture, Identity, and Social Justice: Anti-Racist Perspectives in Romani Studies and Beyond.” We had an exceptional program ahead of us.
On the day of our arrival, we visited the “AMBIX Gypsy Club and Restaurant,” a family-run enterprise where they serve traditional Roma cuisine. The menu included a wide variety of regional dishes: cabbage soup, pirohy, halušky, goulash, among others, reflecting the various influences Roma culture in Czechia is inspired by. As Michal Mižigár, former RGPP student and current lecturer and Roma community leader, explained, this cultural diversity has historic roots. While Roma have lived in the territory of present-day Czechia since the fifteenth century, most of these communities were murdered during the Porrajmos. After 1945, the majority of the Roma population in the Czech lands arrived from multiethnic Slovakia, bringing with them diverse cultural traditions and practices while also accommodating local ones.
In the following days, academic programs took place in the Austrian Cultural Institute, which was kind enough to host these activities. First, a youth workshop brought together students from the CEU Romani Studies program and the Charles University Department of Romani Studies, who also represented the pro-Roma NGO Slovo 21. Participants exchanged ideas and experiences on community building and advocacy, emphasizing that meaningful student engagement in extracurricular activities, combined with strong partnerships with local NGOs, is essential.
Second, the conference in critical Romani studies involved scholars from more than a dozen countries to engage with a wide range of topics, including sociology, education, media studies, memory studies, and history. The organizers should be commended for inviting participants from beyond academia, thereby fostering dialogue between scholarly research and practical experience. In addition, the inclusion of numerous early-career scholars as presenters showed the growing reach of critical Romani studies among a new generation of researchers. This development gives hope about the field's future contribution to addressing the structural inequalities affecting Roma communities.
The cultural component of the festival was just as enriching. One of the highlights was the traditional Roma Parade through the city center, which brought together representatives of Roma communities from various countries. Many participants wore traditional attire and performed songs and dances, showcasing the rich cultural diversity of Roma communities. Beyond being a joyful celebration of identity and heritage, the parade also conveyed a powerful message to the majority society by promoting Roma visibility.
Another powerful testament to boosting Romani visibility was a photo exhibition near the Charles Bridge, featuring large-scale portraits of survivors of the Porrajmos in Czechia. The survivors’ powerful gazes compelled passersby to acknowledge their presence, to accept their gaze, and to dare to look back into the eyes of those who carry the memory of genocide. These portraits placed a profound responsibility on societies living in the shadow of such atrocities—especially in the Czech context, where, as Michal pointed out, the persecution of Roma during the Porajmos was not solely the result of Nazi occupation. Czech authorities had already established concentration camps before the occupation, and Czech gendarmes were involved in their operation during the war.
The evening concerts, spanning both classical and popular music, showcased the remarkable diversity of musical styles found among Roma communities across Europe. Central European ensembles blended popular tunes with traditional repertoire. Eastern European bands often performed in vivid, colorful attire, combining deeply emotional melodies with the lively, celebratory atmosphere of wedding and festive traditions. The Balkan ensemble was distinguished by its strong rhythmic drive and dance-orientedness, delivering energetic performances. While the Spanish flamenco tradition offered a highly artistic and deeply sensual expression, it also provided a compelling outlook distinct from the broader Eastern European spheres.
Overall, it has been a great honour to participate in this year’s Khamoro Festival, made especially memorable by the openness, warmth, and helpfulness of the organizers. We can only wish the festival continued success, a strong future, and even greater visibility. This is particularly important given our experience that, despite being the largest Romani-themed festival in the world, many local residents are still unaware of its existence. It is essential that both Roma and non-Roma communities actively engage with the festival, as this is how it can achieve its full potential: challenging prejudices, fostering meaningful connections, and contributing to the creation of an equal future.
Written by Robert Kovacs, student of the Advanced Certificate in Romani Studies
Photos taken by Veronika Balogh, Helena Djablikova, Marton Rovid
See more photos of the Study trip, Youth workshop, Conference. The video recordings are available in this YouTube playlist.