Presentation by Sani Rifati, President, Voice of Roma
(note: originally Prof Carol Silverman, University of Oregon was to present; however current storm severity has cancelled flights from Oregon)
In the last twenty years the popularity of "Gypsy" music has exploded, becoming a staple at world music festivals and dance clubs in the United States and Western Europe. At the same time, thousands of East European Roma have emigrated westward due to deteriorating living conditions, and entrenched stereotypes of thievery have arisen amidst deportations and harassment. In this heightened atmosphere of xenophobia, Roma, as Europe’s largest minority and its quintessential “other,” face the paradox that they are revered for their music yet reviled as people. As "Gypsy" music reaches larger audiences, Romani performers may be displaced by non-Romani DJs and musicians. Focusing of the political economy of clubs and festivals, this lecture investigates the ramifications of the current scene for Romani performers and non-Romani musicians, producers, audiences and marketers.
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This talk will show short music/video clips of real Roma culture!
The talk will focus on Roma artists and their virtuosity, in an atmosphere of proper representation and respect. Given that nowadays it sometimes feels as though anybody can be a "Gypsy" musician, and can claim to be a Gypsy artist, it is important to remember who the real Roma are. Even with all the attention given to "gypsy" influence and people even claiming the mantle of the "free gypsy", unfortunately some very talented, high-caliber Roma musicians can barely make a living, let alone become known on the world stage and scene and often "Gypsy" music is badly misrepresented and in the worse case serves to reinforce negative stereotypes.
