Romani Music draws on influences from its people’s wide diaspora, which spans Europe and encompasses Arabic, Turkish, Slavic, French and Southern European traditions. The most well-know exponent of Romani music is Spain, with the passionate flamenco sound at the helm (though the feet-tapping rumba from Catalunya
was also created by the gitanos) and southern France, through the Gypsy Kings and the legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt.It is only relatively recently that the joyful Slavic strain of Romani music has gained an audience; any music fan that saw Tony Gatlif’s 1993 film ‘Latcho Drom’ might remember what a revelation it was, as the historic journey of the Roma people from India to Europe was told through their musical heritage.
The Khamoro Music Festival, which will largely take place in smaller venues across the city, will feature musicians from all over Europe and from the many sub-genres of Roma music. !Deladap describe their sound as ‘nu-gypsy’ with a mix of jazz and electronic. At the other end of the spectrum, the duo Nadara hail from a small village in Romania, where they forged their reputation at weddings and traditional fiestas and developed an innovative take on traditional Transylvanian folk music.
Debates, film screenings and talks also form part of the Khamoro Music Festival, making the last week in May a great time to visit Prague for world music fans.
