Dedication

Romani Yag is dedicated to the “Tziganes Ivanovitch”: the unique Petro and Slobodan Jovanovic, sons of Zarko ‘Jagdino’ Jovanovic, as well as to the dazzling Raya and Natasha Udovikova-Bielenberg. It is their music and dance, the late nights at their restaurant in Paris, playing with their children Aleco and Nikak, and the feeling of being home every time we entered “Chez les Tziganes Ivanovitch” to the sound of their voices, guitars, balalaikas, tambourines and heels on the podium that led to the birth of Romani Yag, 20 years later. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for having opened the doors to this incredibly rich universe for me.

Above: Raya Bielenberg with Ljuba Radman, Petro and Slobodan Ivanovitch, Natasha Bielenberg and Ljuba Radman (pictures taken in the early 1980s, Paris)

I also wish to thank all who have been involved in Romani Yag since its birth: the past and present board of directors of Romani Yag, our volunteers, the artists and speakers, our many collaborators over the years, my friends and most particularly my ever-present family.

Many thanks, also, to the audience for its openness and encouragements and to the activists in the Romani cultural, academic and political sphere for their vote of confidence and support.

Ljuba Radman, Founder of Romani Yag