嘿, 洛瑪尼人 洛瑪兒童合唱團 捷克愛樂 / Hej Romale / Roma Children's Choir & Czech Philharmonic

"What Romani children lack is the sense of being welcome in the society. Their journey out of the vicious circle
of living in the settlements and city ghettos into a world where they are expected to do things, where they can
find confidence and achieve, is one of the hardest imaginable. The Čhavorenge choir represents an
environment motivating them to pursue their dreams and give their life paths meaning." With this creed, Ida
Kelarová has been collaborating with the Czech Philharmonic for the past five years. The result is a project that
gives a number of children the above-mentioned hope. What has been achieved? Almost forty concerts have
taken place in the Rudolphinum in Prague (in collaboration with Jiří Bělohlávek, Alice Nellis, Martha Issová and
others). Performances and workshops have been given in other places all over the Czech Republic and
Slovakia. Most importantly, however, this project has influenced lives of numerous Romani children and
youngsters. By participating in it, they relate to their own cultural roots, experience self-esteem and discover
their unique life paths. After several summer camps called "Romano drom" (Romani way) held in East Slovakia
and the Czech Republic, Čhavorenge set out to record a CD in collaboration with the Czech Philharmonic and
many guests. The catchy, extremely lively but at times also sad tunes emanate an energy that hardly anybody
can resist. The generously conceived booklet features song lyrics including translations and also documents
the whole project. Reflections written by participants provide hope that people of various ethnic backgrounds
can not only live "side by side", but truly together, enriching and inspiring one another.