Every year, the colorful, theatrical GYPSY FEST parade attracts huge attention from Vilnius residents. This year, the organizers prepared even more surprises, and the parade was even more impressive. On Saturday at 3 p.m., a huge and colorful parade set off from the Town Hall along Pilies Street, reached Cathedral Square, and moved on to Kudirka Square, where a free concert awaits everyone in the evening.
Invited to Get Acquainted
“Our traditionally organized parade always attracts huge attention. It is not only a joy for the eyes of Vilnius residents but also an opportunity to meet in person, socialize, and get acquainted. This year we have prepared many surprises. Roma ensembles and dance groups will participate in the parade, who have prepared impressive performances. There will also be a moving stage with music, and we will be accompanied by bikers on motorcycles. And the main highlight of the parade, of course, will be a carriage with real horses. Roma and horses have a special connection and symbolism, so we can no longer imagine our event without it,” said one of the organizers, chairman of the Lithuanian Roma community, Ištvanas Kvik, with a smile before the event.
This year the event took place during the Nations Fair, so the fair participants waiting for the arriving parade at Kudirka Square had the opportunity to visit an improvised Roma corner throughout the day.
“Here you can get closer to Roma culture through culinary heritage and Roma handicrafts. We invite you to taste traditional Roma dishes, get acquainted with Roma clothing attributes, and simply get to know each other. And the most curious will even be able to have their fortune told and find out what awaits them in the future,” intrigued one of the creators of the GYPSY FEST idea, head of the Baltic Region Roma Association, Vaiva Poškaitė-Kovaliuk.
City Residents Surprised by Mysterious Messages
The festival, already loved by Vilnius residents and encouraging the fight against stereotypes, spreads a social message every year with its slogan. This year, the organizers surprised not with just one slogan but with several messages that invited reflection. This was done even before the event when mysterious phrases appeared in the center of Vilnius. “We are only separated by your opinion,” “Everyone walking under the sun has their own shadow,” “Scan your stereotypes,” “Inherited a stereotype? Don’t leave it to your children,” – such and similar inscriptions recently surprised Vilnius residents on city streets.
These were none other than the messages of the “Gypsy Fest” festival to the public, inviting them to get rid of stereotypes and get to know real people.
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“Every year we invite society to break stereotypes, ask themselves questions, even if they are uncomfortable. This year is no exception. After implementing this advertising campaign, we received many responses and questions. This is very important to me because that is the mission of the festival – it is not just an event or concert, it is our way to speak to society, to show that Roma are not mystical beings or fictional characters. They are just people with their traditions, feelings, ideas, and we are all equal citizens of Lithuania. Nationality is not a label. Nationality is our uniqueness, and we are united by common values,” said Ištvanas Kvik.
Roma Youth Contest “Romavision” to Take Place
The event organizers announce that this year they will also gift the city a huge free concert. It will take place at Kudirka Square on the day of the event – September 19 at 6 p.m.
“Vilnius center has never seen such a wealth of the most famous Roma ensembles. It will be a high-quality event, with the most famous performers and groups from various countries. We are expecting guests from Latvia, Estonia, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Serbia. On stage will also appear SARE ROMA with a new program specially created for the festival, as well as Konsuela Mačiulevičiūtė, the dance studio “Sultana,” “Pashe jag,” and others.
The highlight of the event will be the Roma youth talent contest “Romavision,” held for the third year in a row. We have been organizing this event for three years, inviting young Roma to step out of their comfort zones, take the big stage, and show their talent. This year the contest again attracted great interest from young people, and the best will be chosen by an international jury composed only of members with Roma blood.
This year we have prepared a lot of activities, surprises, great music, and high-class performances. So we are very much looking forward to seeing everyone at the GYPSY FEST festival, where music becomes a unifying language,” said Vaiva Poškaitė-Kovaliuk.
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