8 August 2024 – 6 countries – 15 venues – 50 bands
Budapest – Szentendre – Csobánka – Százhalombatta – Hatvan – Ravazd – Veszprém – Balatonboglár – Pécs – Nagyecsed – Bulgaria – Spain – Germany – Slovakia – Romania
Main organizer: International Gypsy and World Music Network
Artistic director: Mihály “Mazsi” Rostás
Supporters: Kisfaludy2030 Turisztikai Fejlesztő Nonprofit Zrt, Visit Hungary, MOL -Új Európa, NKA -Nemzeti Kulturális Alap
On August 8, 2024, the International Gypsy Song Day will commemorate the birthday of the esteemed North Macedonian singer, Esma Redžepova, for the third time. The event will feature orchestral performances at 15 venues across six domestic and international countries. The initiative, led by Mihály “Mazsi” Rostás, the founder and bandleader of Mónika Lakatos and Romengo, as well as the MazsiMó – GipsyMó bands, will showcase 50 orchestra performances. The focal point of the event series is Mónika Lakatos, a renowned Roma singer and recipient of the Kossuth and WOMEX lifetime achievement awards. The International Gypsy Song Day celebrates diversity, featuring both renowned gypsy and non-gypsy artists. Each year, the event continues to expand, offering a broader range of venues and programs. In 2024, the International Gypsy and World Music Network will host free concerts in ten Hungarian cities and five foreign venues, featuring nearly fifty performing orchestras. From flamenco to Balkan brass bands, gypsy melodies to jazzy rhythms, the festival aims to showcase the joy, dynamism, and depth of gypsy culture. Organizers encourage everyone to immerse themselves in these unforgettable musical experiences, gaining a deeper understanding of Roma culture and celebrating our cultural diversity.
The Roma, esteemed as one of Europe’s most vibrant and prosperous ethnic groups, have cultivated a distinctive and ever-evolving musical culture that has played a pivotal role in shaping European musical traditions. Their influence spans across all countries of the Union, serving as a vital cohesive force within the European community. The diverse and rich Roma culture reflects a unique blend of their own traits and the influences of the countries they engage with. From the grace of Spanish flamenco to the commanding presence of Serbian brass bands, Roma music beautifully encapsulates the essence of both Europe and the world, honoring Roma customs, language, and unbounded vivacity for life. Notably, their cultural heritage is deeply intertwined with Hungarian traditions, giving rise to musical forms such as restaurant gypsy music, Wallachian-Gypsy music, and dance, as well as Hungarian folk music with strings. Mihály “Mazsi” Rostás, the mastermind behind the Day of the Gypsy Song, has conducted concerts in over thirty countries across four continents, sharing the stage with renowned artists such as the Kossuth Prize winner and Womex Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Mónika Lakatos, and the Romengo orchestra. Drawing from his extensive experience with Roma music festivals and gypsy orchestras worldwide, Rostás has been instrumental in founding the International Gypsy Song Day and the International Gypsy and World Music Network, dedicated to promoting international collaboration in gypsy music.
Venues and programs
Budapest – Benczur House Event Center
1068 Budapest, Benczúr str. 27.
Start of program: 7:00 pm
7:00 p.m. – Mistral
8:00 p.m. – Romengo and Kossuth Prize winner Mónika Lakatos,
Guest artists: Balázs Szabó (Balázs Szabó’s Band)
9:00 p.m. – Parno Graszt
Playing during breaks/transitions: Hungarian FolkEmbassy
At other venues in Hungary, concerts start at 18:00
Százhalombatta – Friendship Cultural Center
2240 Százhalombatta, Szent István square 5.
6:00 p.m. – Péter Berki and his gypsy orchestra
7:00 p.m. – JUDIT ABRAHAM & GIPSY SAND DUNES BAND
INDIAN music and dance from Rajasthan
8:00 p.m. – Amaro Duho
9:00 p.m. – Gypo Circus
Szentendre-Danube Cultural Centre courtyard and Danube Promenade,
In the event of rain: Cave (Dunakorzó 18).
6:00 p.m. – Canarro
7:00 p.m. – Várkonyi Chicks
8:00 p.m. – EtnoRom, guest artist: Ági Szalóki
9:00 p.m. – KAL
Veszprém – Agora Veszprém Cultural Center
8200 Veszprém, Camp Station Park 1.
6:00 p.m. – Solar plexus
7:00 p.m. – Mosaico Flamenco
8:00 p.m. – Ham Ko Ham
9:00 p.m. – Kalyi Jag + guest: Bocskor Bíborka (Magashegyi Underground)
Ravazd – Mediawave courtyard
9091 Ravazd, Őrhegy str. 27.
6:00 p.m. – East Gipsy Band
7:00 p.m. – Authentic flamenco from Jerez de la Frontera
vocals: Ignacio Fajardo, guitar: Manuel Monte, applause: Manuel de Mané, Alberto Jiménez Benítez
8:00 p.m. – György Ferenczi and the 1st Pesti Rackák
9:00 p.m. – Fanfara Complexa
Hatvan– Jam Garden
3000 Hatvan, Kossuth square 24.
6:00 p.m. – Khamoro Budapest Band
7:00 p.m. – Vojasa Acoustics
8:00 p.m. – MazsiMó-GipsyMó + Miklós Lukács (cimbalomist)
9:00 p.m. – Boján Krstic Orkestar
Balatonboglár – Babel Camp
8630 Balatonboglár Liberty str. 28.,
6:00 p.m.- Zsuzsika Táncos
7:00 p.m. -Chache Rom
8:00 p.m. – Nadara Gipsy Band
9:00 p.m.- Kristijan Azirovic Orchestra
Csobánka
2014 Híd str. 1. Court
6:00 p.m. – Bence Pálházi and his band
7:00 p.m. – László Berki and his gypsy orchestra
8:00 p.m. – Gipsy Suno
9:00 p.m. – András Pesti folklore show
Nagyecsed
Fair Square 1.
6:00 p.m. – Katesz Balogh and friends
7:00 p.m. – RitMusa band
8:00 p.m. – Guszti Bódi and Margó Bódi
9:00 p.m. – Phuripe
Pecs
Theater Square
6:00 p.m. – Zsolt Balogh and his dance choir
7:00 p.m. – Sándor Budai and his orchestra
8:00 p.m. – Cimbaliband
9:00 p.m. – Kale Lulugyi
Foreign locations
Concerts start: 7:00 p.m.
Spain- Jerez de Frontra
Sala Quemá -, Plaza Quemada 5 11402 Spain
7:00 p.m. – El Domador de Medusas
8:30 p.m. – Caravan Family
Slovakia – Štúrovo
Štúrovo pedestrian street, Summer stage Hlavná 16, 943 01
7:00 p.m. – Romano Drom
8:30p.m. – Besh o droM
Romania – Târgu Mureş
House of Transylvanian Traditions
Summer stage, Rózsák square 42.
Teatrul de vară Piața Trandafirilor nr. 42, Targu-Mures
7:00 p.m. – Melinda Balogh-Napwheel
8:30 p.m. – Kanizsa Stars
Bulgaria – Burgas
7:00 p.m. – Kálmán Balogh and the Gipsy Cimbalom Band
8:30 p.m. – Ivo Papasov
Germany – Berlin
Badehaus – Sauna Floor,
Revaler Str. 99 / 10245 Berlin
7:00 p.m. – Monika Rostás and Gipsy Moods
8:30 p.m. – Balkan Roma Musik Band