Roma children’s choir Chavorenge and members of the Czech Philharmonic to
perform in UK
The Romany singer Ida Kelarová and her Chavorenge Children’s Choir
together with musicians from the Czech Philharmonic will perform a concert
at the Phoenix Concert Hall in Croydon, southern England on Thursday
evening. The program will feature the international Romany anthem Gelem,
Gelem, and the choir’s best known song Hey Romale!
Ten years ago Romany singer and musician Ida Kelarová founded the most
successful Romany children’s choir in the country. Chavorenge not only
appears in Prague’s famous Rudolfinum, but increasingly gives concerts
abroad. Ida Kelarová says its present day success is beyond her wildest
dreams because the original idea behind forming the choir was not artistic
success but social needs.
“It all started when I came back from living in Great Britain. I returned
to the Czech Republic twenty years ago and I was shocked to see the
anti-Roma sentiment, things like “gas the Roma” sprayed on walls and
widespread prejudices. I was not used to that. In England I had spoken
openly about my Romany roots and spread the Romany culture. I decided to
help change things and started out by travelling to all the excluded
localities where the Roma lived in poverty. I offered to work with their
children, to let them find an outlet for their musical talent. Creating the
choir and teaching the children was extremely rewarding because these kids
are open, eager to learn and in need of attention.”
Her choir comprises of talented children of all ages. The condition is that
they go to school and have good grades. Ida Kelarová says she is happy
when the choir is invited to perform in different parts of the country as
well as abroad, because in addition to it being exciting for the children,
the opportunity to see different cultures, a different way of life to what
they know, motivates them to work hard for a better future.
One of her biggest successes on the road to establishing Chavorenge as a
highly successful children’s choir was the decision to involve musicians
from the Czech Philharmonic, whom she approached with a request for
cooperation a few years ago. Since then, they have given concerts together
around the country with great success.
“The fact that members of the Czech Philharmonic perform with us is a
huge honour. I greatly appreciate it, especially in view of the prejudices
that still exist. They are such an example for the children and, of course,
these professional musicians take the whole performance to a higher
level.”
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