Project Čhavorenge

This project was launched in January 2011 under the auspices of civil association MIRET which focuses on promoting the Romani culture on a professional level. This project focuses on the support and development of talented children from ages 6-12 from selected Romani schools, municipalities and cities in the Czech and Slovak Republic.

This 100-member choir of young Roma singers ČHAVORENGE (translated from Romani as "For the children") was founded by Ida Kelarová, the members being children selected from gifted and talented Roma children and youth and participants of the Performing Arts camps held by civil association MIRET. The choir focuses on traditional Romani music. The repertoire is built on songs written by the Romani composer Desideria Dužda who accompanies the choir together with professional musicians during concerts and performances.

The main songs from their repertoire are the work of the Romani composer, guitarist and teacher Desideria Dužda who accompanies the choir at their concerts together with professional artists. An extended version of the prepared concerts opens the possibility to work with various other musical ensembles such as string orchestras, philharmonics and others. The choir has already performed accompanied by bands, local orchestras and even the Hradec Králové Philharmonic Orchestra, and was met with great success. The traditional Romani ballads spectacularly performed at the concerts are an unforgettable experience. The social significance of the choir is gradually becoming international.

But what is most important about this project? To give children a chance, to make them seen and heard, to provide them with an opportunity to experience new things, motivate and inspire them to take up new activities and promote Romani culture on a professinal level. We also hope that the children who meet the demands of the project will persevere and be enrolled into education programmes which will prepare them for their further studies at secondary schools.

„My main interest is to give children the opportunity to work on themselves, but also to let them experience something new - to offer them the journey to self-knowledge and opening themselves. The aim is to promote the children in the Czech and Slovak Republic and at international festivals. The secondary target group are the potential partners, donators and sponosors who financially support their further development and studies." I.K.