Gipsy.cz proud to represent Czech Republic and Roma minority at Eurovision
The Romany pop group Gipsy.cz are the Czech Republic’s entry in this
year’s Eurovision Song Contest. After Czech Television itself selected
the band to represent the country in Moscow, the station’s viewers picked
the song they are going to perform, Aven Romale. Gipsy.cz are currently in
the Russian capital preparing for the first semi-final on Tuesday, but
shortly before they left I spoke to the group’s leader Gipsy (real name
Radoslav Banga). My first question: what does representing the Czech
Republic at Eurovision mean to you?
“It is incredible, really. I’m very proud that I can represent not only
the Czech Republic but also Roma people. It’s really an incredible
chance.”
Tell us about the song you’re performing, Aven Romale. What is it about?
What is it inspired by?
“Aven Romale means in the Romany language, c’mon people, c’mon Roma,
c’mon everybody, something like that. The song is about breaking down the
old limits of colour…Many people just see you as a black or white, as a
Chinese, as a Czech, as whoever, as a Gypsy. The song is about
breaking…the limitation of colour.”
In the video you’re dressed as a kind of superhero called Supergipsy.
Are you going to wear that costume on stage in Moscow?
“Yes. We’ve made a much better costume for the Eurovision competition.
I’m going to wear it of course. The idea of Supergipsy is like a message
to the people –that anybody can be successful, that all minorities can
have these super…men…Spidermen, Batmen, Supergipsy, you know.”
In recent years you’ve played at a lot of festivals all over Europe and
built up quite a reputation outside the Czech Republic. But one thing I
would say as well is that for many people the Eurovision Song Contest is
rather uncool. The music is seen as being, for some people, the worst kind
of pop music. Are you concerned you could lose the respect of some serious
music fans?
“I don’t think we are going to lose some respect. I think that it
doesn’t matter what the competition is, it’s always
mainstream…because the mainstream is something which is trying to make
money. Eurovision is really sometimes much more about being good looking,
and not about music. But sometimes you can see some high quality
performers.”
The Czech Republic has only taken part in Eurovision twice and never got
past the semi-final stage. Here’s hoping Gipsy.cz can make it all the way
to Saturday’s final in Moscow.
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“It is incredible, really. I’m very proud that I can represent not only
the Czech Republic but also Roma people. It’s really an incredible
chance.”
In recent years you’ve played at a lot of festivals all over Europe and
built up quite a reputation outside the Czech Republic. But one thing I
would say as well is that for many people the Eurovision Song Contest is
rather uncool. The music is seen as being, for some people, the worst kind
of pop music. Are you concerned you could lose the respect of some serious
music fans?
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