Who we are

Mission

Romani Yag is a non-profit organisation, founded by Ljuba Radman in 2004 in Montreal. Its mission is to promote Romani («Gypsy») culture by presenting events which bring together arts and information about the Roma people to the public. Its aim is to confront preconceived notions and negative stereotypical images about Roma – that are based on a misunderstanding of this nation – which are too often reinforced and promoted by mainstream media. Romani Yag also aims to encourage friendly dialogue and creative co-operation between Roma and other nations in a spirit of inclusion and promotion of diversity within and outside the great variety of Romani communities.

History

Over the last five years Romani Yag has created, produced and been involved in about twenty events which combine Romani music, dance, conferences, round tables, workshops, exhibits and films, first in North America – most notably with the Romani Yag Festival (Montreal, 2005 & 2007) – and since 2008 in Europe. In author Colum McCann’s words about Romani Yag: “Bringing music, literature and scholarship together under one roof is a fusion, not a collision (…) The artists, the viewers, the musicians, the listeners are brought together in order that we can all, eventually, recognise our abiding similarities and appreciate our differences.”

Ljuba Radman, founder, president and “motor” of Romani Yag, was born into a Croatian-German family in Belgium. She first came into contact with Romani artists and activists as a child. Following her degree in Political Science at the University of Birmingham, she became active in the arts world through film in Paris and later through theatre in Montreal. There, she founded Romani Yag, directed and produced a musical play about the history of the Roma people (“Romano Drom”) and she created events dedicated to Romani culture for four years. Since 2008, she has been continuing Romani Yag’s actions in Europe (see “What we do” in the main menu).  

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