Presence: Romabaron brings Roma culture into the spotlight

Presence: Romabaron brings Roma culture into the spotlight

Tanzquartier, Halle G, MuseumsQuartier Wien, 1070 Wien, Österreich - On April 11, 2025, the theater collective Hybrid under the direction of Alireza Daryanavard celebrates the premiere of "Romabaron - No Z ****** Baron" in the dance district, Halle G, in the Museumsquartier Vienna. The staging represents a reinterpretation of Johann Strauss ’operetta from the point of view of the young Romni Saffi. By mixing operettas, Roma music and contemporary sounds, production of addressing social power and discrimination, whereby the tragic Roma attacks from Oberwart from 1995 also focus on the focus. Stefan Horvath will be involved in the production as a contemporary witness.

The musical direction has Mahan Mirarab, who is interweaving classic repertoire with modern and traditional Roma sounds. An outstanding ensemble, including singers such as Özlem Bulut, Basma Jabr, Golnar Shahyar and Sakina Teyna, is performing this new staging. The concept, the text and the direction come from Alireza Daryanavard, while Mahsa Ghafari is responsible for the libretto. Other creative minds behind the scenes are Duha Samir and Ilias Klis (room), Geraldine Massing (costumes), Anna Bauer (light design) as well as Reza Majdodin (video) and Triangle Studio (film production).

tour of the topics

The performance will not only offer the depth of content, but also create space for exchange. A public discussion, moderated by Steffen Jäger, will take place after the second performance. The performances are scheduled for the 11th, 12th and 13th of April 2025 at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are available on the websites of Johann Strauss 2025 and the Vienna dance district. This cooperation is supported by the funding of the BMKÖS, the City of Vienna Culture, the Future Fund of the Republic of Austria, the SKE Fund Austria Mechana and the district culture 1050.

The staging not only addresses the past, but is part of a greater artistic resistance to discrimination and stereotyping, as is discussed in the publication "Resistance through Art". The book, which serves as an analogous introduction to the digital archive Romarchives, conveys the cultural self -assertion of the Sinti and Roma and shows how art is used to combat prejudices. Published by Moritz Pankok, Isabel Raabe and Romani Rose, there are insights into the artistic work of this community.

insight into the digital platform

Romarchives, a digital platform, has set itself the goal of making internationality and diversity of the Sinti and Roma culture accessible. The archive includes over 5000 individual objects, including pictures, audio recordings and videos that document and appreciate the cultural landscape of this ethnic group. The book title "Resistance through Art" summarizes the arts and cultures of the Sinti and Roma and offers digital interfaces to various areas of the archive.

While the premiere of "Romabaron - No Z ******* Baron" is the focus, both projects combine the claim to put the history and culture of the Sinti and Roma into the focus of public perception and to create space for dialogue and understanding

For more information, please visit the websites of wien.gv.at and Dokuzentrum Sinti and Roma .