Ando Glaso Roma Fest

The second day of the Ando Glaso Roma Fest will take place on Saturday 7th September at the CCA, where the day’s programme will begin with a workshops hosted by Gypsy jazz legend Lulo Reinhardt, Romani language experts Juice Vamosi and Maria Palmai, and prominent Roma cultural advocate Terezia Rostas, who will explore customs, costumes and much more. For those interested in learning more about the Romani language, the Human Library event will provide a unique Q&A opportunity with leading Roma experts from around the UK.

In light of recent events in Leeds, festival organisers have also chosen to screen a moving documentary about child removals from Roma communities by authorities in Hungary. Roma Kids presented by Stacey Dooley highlights the scale of the issue, and why it remains a sensitive and difficult problem that causes a great deal of fear amongst Roma people, the film adds yet another important dimension to the festival’s programme.

On Saturday evening, the CCA will be filled with music celebrating the vibrancy of Roma culture, beginning with a performance from the Ando Glaso Collective, which features musicians and singers from Romania, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Further highlights include a genuine and raw flamenco performance from TuFlamenco, and a special duet between Lulo Reinhardt and Yuliya Lonskaya, an award-winning musician from Belarus. Rootless, an innovative group blending Indian and Roma music, will keep the energy high, with an exhibition of Roma artists on offer while the night will culminate with a festival club for all attendees, featuring live music and bands until the early hours.