New author’s project by the AraArt theatre troupe DAJORI (Mommy) is a monodrama, that shows life of Romani women on the background of historical events of 20th century.
The script combines existing literary pieces as well as personal experiences, that were told from one Romani to another and were never written down, backed up by authentic important documents of that time.
Four characters played by one actress will walk the attendee through almost an entire century of before-and-after war Czechoslovakia. Their life stories show what it means to be a Romani woman in a fast-paced society (Romani and Gadjos), that is driven by a craziness without any respect to those, who cannot defend themselves.
Pavlina Matiova is accompanied by actor Michal Zoltak and musicians Milan Kroka, Roman Zorba Horvath and Tibor Zida. Theatre play has been created via ARTIVISM – CHANCE FOR A BETTER COEXISTANCE ('Artivismus - šance pro lepší soužití') and is financially supported by EHP FUNDS 2014 – 2021, Culture program.
Based on stories and storytellings by Tera Fabianova, Eva Danisova, Ilona Ferkova and Katerina Zidova.
David Tiser graduated in Romani studies at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague. He is the first ever LGBT+ Roma activist in the Czech Republic. He also works as a Roma activist, teacher and director. In the past, he was one of the members of the Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs. He is currently a member of the Committee on Sexual Minority Rights of the Government Council for Human Rights. In 2009, he wrote the script for the documentary 'Roma Boys - A Love Story' based on true story.
He played one of the main roles in the National Theatre play 'My Neighbour, My Enemy', which dealt with the coexistence of Czechs and Roma. For his performance he was subsequently nominated for the Alfred Radok Award in the Talent of the Year 2011 category. In the same year, he founded the first contemporary Romani professional theatre. Ten years ago, he founded the company ARA ART, which is dedicated to the popular method of theatre for the oppressed, author exhibitions of Romani artists, and the organization of Prague's International Roma Day celebrations. In 2018, he was the winner of the 10th anniversary edition of the Museum of Romani Culture Award, and in 2019 he received the František Kriegel Award for Bravery from Charter 77.
'I was always fascinated by the courage, pride and strength of Romani women. That is why my team and I decided to present the stories and themes of Romani women against the background of the main historical milestones of the 20th century. The script combines existing literary pieces as well as personal experiences, that were told from one Romani to another and were never written down, backed up by authentic important documents of that time.
Four characters played by one actress will walk the attendee through almost an entire century of before-and-after war Czechoslovakia. Their life stories show what it means to be a Romani woman in a fast-paced society (Romani and Gadjos), that is driven by a craziness without any respect to those, who cannot defend themselves. Our goal for this play is to be seen by as many people as possible from both majority and Roma society. To change the position of women in our societies. We are targeting women's groups and want to talk to them after the performance about the current situation. How much has the position of Roma women changed and if at all.'
