Romano Drom – July 2010

Workshop, children and youth Performing Arts camp, concerts in Romani settlements in east Slovakia - all this was held in July 2010 under the name Romani Drom (Romani Journey).

Apart from 20 participants and their children from different parts of Europe, Romano Drom welcomed 20 selected Romani children from children's homes and Romani settlements in the Czech and Slovak Republic.

All Romano Drom participants left a deeply ingrained footprint and inspired MIRET to continue its mission.

This project featured vocal and dance workshops, Romani language classes, the extensive talks about everything that is Romani prepared the participants for the visits to the Romani settlements. There they all had the opportunity to meet the Romani settlers and together sing the songs they had learnt at the workshop. The children presented the new choreographies they had learnt at the creative workshops. Song were sung with the local Roma and thanks to the Romani language classes, the foreigners were able to communicate in Romani to some degree.

 The whole Romano drom journey, which led each and everyone deeper into their own soul, fulfilled its task.

We saw utter poverty and famine, met with racism, but also understanding and an open heart. We met with disappointment, pain and injustice, but also with true happiness, love, compassion and understanding.

This 10-day journey moved everyone, awaking compassion and a feeling of unity, understanding the value of a human being and awareness of freedom and humbleness.

The evening concerts and jam sessions served as a way to heal and relax after these intense experiences.